Oscars 2021: Irrfan Khan, Bhanu Athaiya, Chadwick Boseman, Helen McCrory, Sean Connery among others honoured

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The 93rd Academy Awards took place on Sunday night, April 25.  It was a year of profound loss in so many ways. The Academy paid tribute to several actors, filmmakers, and artists who passed away in the past year.

Angela Bassett introduced the 'In Memoriam' segment reflecting on the difficult year we've had. "As of April 25, 2021, there were recorded over 3 million souls lost around the world to COVID alone," she shared. "Considering the enormity of our collective loss and the often incomprehensible times we're living through, we wish to also acknowledge those precious lives lost to the violence of inequality, injustice, hatred, racism, and poverty. To all of those who left our lives too soon, we cherish the moments that we had the honour of having with you."

"Tonight, we want to celebrate the artists who gave us permission to dream, the technical pioneers and innovators who expanded our experience of movie love," she further said. "Let us as one community say thank you, you will remain, as we remember you in our hearts, always."

The segment honoured Irrfan Khan, who passed away in April 2020, after battling a neuroendocrine tumour. Indian costume designer Bhanu Athaiya, who worked on over 100 films, was also mentioned in the video. On the official 'In Memorium' page, Soumitra Chatterjee, Sushant Singh Rajput, Rishi Kapoor, Shashikala were honoured.

The Academy also paid tribute to Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman, Cloris Leachman, Sean Connery, Helen McCrory, Christopher Plummer, Olivia de Havilland, Hal Holbrook, Ian Holm, George Segal, Cicely Tyson and Max von Sydow among others.

In top categories, Chloé Zhao became the first woman of colour to ever win the Best Director category for her film Nomadland, Daniel Kaluuya claimed Best Supporting Actor for Judas and the Black Messiah. Youn Yuh Jung of Minari became the first Asian actress to win an Oscar since 1957 and the second in history - she won Best Supporting Actress. Mia Neal and Jamika Wilson, of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, made history as they became the first Black women to win the Academy Award for Best Makeup & Hairstyling.

Nomadland won Best Picture, actress Frances McDormand won Best Actress In A Leading Role for her performance in Nomadland and actor Anthony Hopkins won Best Actor In A Leading Role for The Father.

ALSO READ: Oscars 2021: Youn Yuh Jung, Chloé Zhao make history; Daniel Kaluuya, Frances McDormand, Anthony Hopkins win big