India, March 19 -- The 2026 Academy Awards may be over, but the controversy around its In Memoriam segment continues, with producers facing criticism for omitting several prominent names, including veteran Dharmendra. Responding to the backlash, Rob Mills, executive vice president of unscripted and alternative entertainment at Walt Disney Television, said the final call rests with the Academy. "I think it's the hardest thing they possibly do. It always is hard when they are sort of villainised for this. There are always people who are left out. Unfortunately, we're losing more and more legendary people every year, so it is probably the hardest needle to thread," Mills told Variety. He added that this year's tribute "might have been the best In Memoriam in the history of the Oscars." He also shared that planning begins months in advance, especially when multiple high-profile losses occur close together. The 98th Academy Awards, held in Los Angeles on Sunday, drew criticism online after several late icons were missing from the live tribute, even as the segment honoured names such as Robert Redford, Robert Duvall and Diane Keaton. However, the names who were omitted from the live broadcast were later added to the extended tribute list on the Academy's website. htc...