The red carpet is unrolling, and the air in Los Angeles is thick with the scent of high-stakes nerves and expensive perfume. It’s almost time for the 98th Academy Awards.
Whether you’re in it for the Hollywood hits (and misses), the tear-jerking speeches, or the sheer chaos of live television, this year’s ceremony is shaping up to be a legendary chapter in Oscar history.
Returning for his second consecutive year, Conan O’Brien is set to bring his legendary wit back to the Dolby Theatre. Known for his towering presence and even taller hair, Conan’s ability to blend high-brow reverence with absurd physical comedy made last year a hit. Expect him to navigate the night with the same sharp, self-deprecating energy that has made him a favourite for global audiences.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas is confirmed as one of the presenters, joining icons like Robert Downey Jr. and Anne Hathaway. While there are strong contenders like One Battle After Another and Marty Supreme, we should definitely keep an eye on Sinners, which leads the pack with 16 nominations.
In India, the transition from the red carpet to the big wins happens while the sun is still coming up, on Monday, March 16. The live streaming will start at 4:30 AM IST. Viewers can enjoy the prestigious ceremony on JioHotstar, Star Movies, Star Movies Select and Colors Infinity. Repeat telecast will be available at 9:00 PM on Star Movies.
While the awards are usually about the acting, this week, the headlines are all about the optics. Early frontrunner Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme) is navigating a storm of controversy following remarks where he appeared to dismiss ballet and opera as “dying art forms” that “no one cares about anymore.”
While Chalamet quickly clarified he meant no disrespect, the comments have ignited a firestorm across the global performing arts community. For many Academy voters, many of whom have deep roots in theatre and the arts, the “Golden Boy” image has taken a sudden, sharp hit just as the final stretch begins.
This cultural friction has created a massive opening for Michael B. Jordan, whose powerhouse performance in Sinners was already gaining serious steam. Following his big win at the SAG (Actor) Awards, Jordan has officially overtaken Chalamet in the betting markets.
Jordan is now the statistical favourite to win Best Actor, with his odds surging as fans and bettors alike “fade” Chalamet in light of the recent backlash. Whether this shift in public sentiment will reflect in the Academy’s final envelope is the night’s biggest question mark. Stay tuned for more updates.