Is Deepika Padukone Present In Oscars 2026?

Social media was set ablaze following the 98th Academy Awards as “photographs” of Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone began circulating, showing her in a stunning red strapless gown at the Dolby Theatre.

The images, which included a convincing shot of her chatting with Oscar-winner Emma Stone, led many fans to believe the King actress had made a surprise appearance at the prestigious event. However, a closer look reveals that these viral images are entirely AI-generated.

While the 2026 Oscars did feature prominent Indian figures like Priyanka Chopra and Isha Ambani, Deepika Padukone was not in attendance. The high-quality digital renders were sophisticated enough to fool a significant portion of the internet, echoing her iconic 2023 appearance where she introduced the live performance of “Naatu Naatu.” Despite the buzz, the actress remained away from the Hollywood limelight this year.

The real Indian highlights of the night came from Priyanka Chopra, who served as a presenter alongside Javier Bardem. The duo made headlines when Bardem used the global stage to call for “No to war and free Palestine,” a sentiment Priyanka acknowledged with a supportive nod. On the cinematic front, it was a quiet year for Indian entries; while the film Homebound reached the shortlist of 15, it ultimately failed to secure an official nomination in the Best International Feature category.