Filmmaker Geeta Gandbhir leads a significant South Asian presence at the 98th Academy Awards with dual nominations, underscoring a decades-long evolution of representation. As Hollywood’s elite gathered for a ceremony defined by the heavy-hitting rivalry between “Sinners” and “One Battle After Another,” the night served as a powerful reminder of the global South’s indelible impact on the cinematic landscape.
The lights of the Dolby Theatre dimmed on March 15 for the 98th Academy Awards, an evening that balanced the high-octane competitive drama of modern blockbusters with a profound reflection on the historical trajectory of South Asian storytellers. For the second consecutive year, Conan O’Brien served as the master of ceremonies, anchoring the night with a blend of self-deprecating wit and sharp commentary on the industry’s shifting tides. Yet, while the headlines were dominated by the technical prowess of Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another and the record-setting 16 nominations for Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, a deeper narrative of cultural persistence was unfolding in the documentary categories.
At the heart of this year’s cultural conversation is Geeta Gandbhir, an American filmmaker of Indian origin whose work has become synonymous with rigorous social inquiry. Gandbhir entered the night with a rare and formidable distinction: dual nominations in both Best Documentary Feature Film for The Perfect Neighbor and Best Documentary Short Film for The Devil is Busy. Her dual nods are not merely a personal triumph but a symbolic apex for South Asian filmmakers who have historically occupied the vanguard of the documentary form. The Perfect Neighbor dives into the harrowing realities of neighborhood violence and racial tension, while The Devil is Busy provides an unflinching look at the frontline of reproductive rights. Gandbhir’s presence at the ceremony highlights a broader trend where South Asian creators are moving beyond the periphery and into the central gears of Hollywood’s prestige engine.
The significance of Gandbhir’s achievement is best understood through the lens of those who paved the way. This weekend’s celebrations naturally invited a retrospective on the landmark moments that transformed the Academy from a Western-centric enclave into a more inclusive global stage. The journey effectively began at the 30th Academy Awards in 1957, when Mehboob Khan’s Mother India secured a nomination in the then-nascent Best International Feature category. It was a watershed moment, marking only the second time a country outside of Europe or Japan had earned such recognition. That nomination laid the foundation for future generations, proving that stories rooted in the specific socio-political soil of South Asia could resonate with universal clarity.
The momentum shifted from nominations to victories in 1983 at the 55th Academy Awards. The sweeping epic Gandhi, a British-Indian co-production, became a juggernaut, claiming eight trophies including Best Picture. Most significantly for the Indian creative community, Bhanu Athaiya won for Best Costume Design, becoming the first Indian to ever hold an Oscar. Her win dismantled the invisible ceiling, a feat mirrored by Ben Kingsley’s Best Actor win for his portrayal of the Mahatma.
Fast forward to the 81st Academy Awards in 2009, and the “Slumdog Millionaire” sweep redefined the commercial and critical potential of India-centric narratives. A.R. Rahman’s double win for Best Original Score and Best Original Song (“Jai Ho”) remains one of the most televised and celebrated moments in the history of the subcontinent’s relationship with Hollywood. Rahman’s success wasn’t just about the music; it was about the validation of a distinct aesthetic—a fusion of traditional sounds and modern cinematic energy.
The narrative of South Asian excellence has only accelerated in the 2020s. The 95th Academy Awards in 2023 are remembered as a “triple threat” year for India. While Deepika Padukone introduced the viral sensation “Naatu Naatu” from RRR—which went on to win Best Original Song—the documentary world saw Guneet Monga and Kartiki Gonsalves claim victory for The Elephant Whisperers. That same era saw the rise of Pakistani voices, most notably Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, who made history at the 84th Academy Awards with her win for Saving Face, and Riz Ahmed, who secured a win for the live-action short The Long Goodbye in 2022.
This year’s ceremony, while honoring these milestones, also focused on the immediate future. Conan O’Brien skillfully navigated the evening, poking fun at the industry’s anxiety over artificial intelligence and the “streaming wars” while ensuring the focus remained on the craft. The competition between Sinners and One Battle After Another represented two different visions of cinema: one a muscular, genre-bending musical horror, the other a sprawling political saga.
As the awards were handed out, the industry’s eyes remained on creators like Gandbhir. Her work represents the modern South Asian filmmaker: global in scope, uncompromising in message, and deeply integrated into the American cinematic fabric. Whether or not every nomination turns into a statuette, the sheer volume of representation at the 98th Academy Awards signals that the landmark moments of the past are no longer anomalies—they are the new standard.
