Prateeksha Thakur
The 97th Academy Awards took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, celebrating Hollywood’s biggest night with major wins, historic moments, and surprises. “Emilia Pérez” led with 13 nominations, while “Wicked” and “The Brutalist” followed with 10 each.
The event opened with a tribute to Los Angeles, featuring “Wicked” star Ariana Grande performing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” However, “Anora” stole the spotlight, winning five Oscars, including Best Picture.
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Mikey Madison, 25, won Best Actress for “Anora,” making her the ninth-youngest winner in the category. She triumphed over nominees Demi Moore (“The Substance”), Cynthia Erivo (“Wicked”), Fernanda Torres (“I’m Still Here”), and Karla Sofía Gascón (“Emilia Pérez”).
Sean Baker had a standout night, winning Best Director and Best Picture for “Anora.” The film, which he wrote, produced, directed, and edited, follows a Brooklyn exotic dancer who marries a Russian oligarch’s son.
Adrien Brody won his second Best Actor Oscar for “The Brutalist,” playing a Hungarian architect rebuilding his life in post-war America. Kieran Culkin took home Best Supporting Actor for “A Real Pain.”
Zoe Saldaña made history as the first American of Dominican descent to win an Oscar, earning Best Supporting Actress. “I know I will not be the last,” she said. Paul Tazewell also broke barriers, becoming the first Black man to win Best Costume Design for “Wicked.”
In the Best Live Action Short category, Victoria Warmerdam’s Dutch sci-fi film “I’m Not a Robot” won against strong contenders, including “Anuja,” a New Delhi-set coming-of-age film.
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India celebrated another Oscar win as Namit Malhotra and the “Dune: Part Two” team secured Best Visual Effects. “This recognition by the Academy—our eighth VFX Oscar since 2011—is a testament to the creative and technical brilliance of our teams at DNEG,” Malhotra sa
NI Bureau
