Oscars pays tribute to Om Puri in its In Memoriam segment 

While India is celebrating the presence of Sunny Pawar, Dev Patel and Priyanka Chopra among the many stars at the 89th Academy Awards, the Academy itself has taken out time to honour an actor who has often represented India on the global stage. Om Puri received a deserved tribute in the 'In Memoriam' section at the Oscar awards alongside several other filmmakers and actors. 

Puri, who passed away on 6 January this year, was a part of several Oscar-nominated films including Gandhi (1981) and Roland Joffe's The City of Joy (1992). In a segment honouring the many Academy members who had passed away, including actor Bill Paxton who died yesterday and could not be added to the video segment, the tribute was presented by Grammy and Tony nominated singer Sara Bareilles. She performed to a cover of Toni Mitchell's 'Both Sides Now' while a montage played on the screen. 

Puri was part of the special montage which also included Abbas Kiarostami, actress Patty Duke, actor John Hurt, Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds among others. 

With Patel losing out on the Best Supporting Actor trophy, there wasn't much for India to celebrate. This touch of class by the Academy is a reminder of the quality of talent that India has lost this year.