Hollywood is set for the grandest night of the year as the 97th Academy Awards take place on Sunday, March 2, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Despite the backdrop of devastating LA wildfires, the entertainment industry is ready to celebrate the finest cinematic achievements of the past year.
When and Where to Watch in India
Since the Oscars are traditionally held on a Sunday in the United States, Indian audiences can tune in live on Monday, March 3, at 5:00 AM IST. The live telecast will be available on Star Movies, while JioCinema and Disney+ Hotstar will stream the event live. A repeat telecast will also air at 8:30 PM IST for those who miss the early-morning broadcast. Additionally, the ceremony will be accessible on Hulu, Hulu Live TV, YouTube, AT&T TV, and FuboTV for international viewers.
Conan O’Brien Set to Host the Oscars for the First Time
Popular comedian and late-night talk show host Conan O’Brien will make his debut as the Oscars host this year. Speaking at a press conference, O’Brien humorously remarked that he had never been invited to the Oscars before and took on the role just to attend. He also acknowledged that while the awards celebrate cinematic excellence, he wouldn’t shy away from addressing the current political climate in the U.S.
Star-Studded Lineup of Presenters
This year’s presenters include some of the biggest names in Hollywood. Dave Bautista, Harrison Ford, Gal Gadot, Andrew Garfield, Samuel L. Jackson, Margaret Qualley, Alba Rohrwacher, Zoe Saldaña, and Rachel Zegler will take the stage to present awards. They will be joined by previously announced presenters such as Selena Gomez, Oprah Winfrey, Joe Alwyn, Ana de Armas, Halle Berry, Scarlett Johansson, Bowen Yang, Lily-Rose Depp, and Sterling K. Brown.
Last year’s acting winners—Emma Stone, Robert Downey Jr., Cillian Murphy, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph—will also be part of the ceremony. Initially, the Academy planned to follow the tradition of having five past winners present the acting awards, but reports suggest that this plan has been scrapped for this year’s event. Additionally, Nick Offerman will serve as the announcer for the ceremony.
