Hollywood’s biggest night delivered drama, dazzle, and a dash of desi chaos as the 97th Academy Awards unfolded at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. From Adrien Brody’s tear-jerking Best Actor speech to Conan O’Brien’s “Namaskar” heard ’round the world, this year’s Oscar Awards proved that even a wildfire-threatened ceremony can’t dim Tinseltown’s sparkle. Let’s unpack the magic, the mishaps, and why Maharashtra’s Chief Minister is suddenly trending alongside Wicked’s witchy fashion.
The Dolby Theatre: Where Wildfires Met Golden Statues
The Oscars 2025 nearly didn’t happen. Just weeks before the March 2 ceremony, wildfires raging through Los Angeles threatened to derail awards season. But like a phoenix (or a very determined Ryan Gosling performance), the show rose from the ashes.
The Dolby Theatre, Hollywood’s glittering shrine to cinema, hosted its 24th Oscars with Conan O’Brien at the helm. The comedian, known for his carrot-top hair and self-deprecating humor, kicked off the night with a quip: “They say third time’s the charm—unless you’re Wicked losing Best Picture again!”.
Fans of the Wicked films (which scored 10 nominations but only 3 wins) weren’t laughing, but everyone else was.
And the Oscar Goes To…
This year’s Academy Awards crowned Anora, Sean Baker’s gritty yet heartfelt comedy about a Brooklyn stripper-turned-wife, as Best Picture. The film’s star, Mikey Madison, clinched Best Actress, dedicating her win to “every underdog who’s ever been told their dreams were too messy for prime time”.
Other big winners included:
- Adrien Brody (The Brutalist): Best Actor, 22 years after his The Pianist triumph. His speech, choked with emotion, honored his late father: “He taught me that art isn’t pretty—it’s necessary.”
- Paul Tazewell: First Black winner of Best Costume Design for Wicked’s emerald-clad wizardry.
- Kieran Culkin: Best Supporting Actor for A Real Pain, proving Succession’s Roman Roy can indeed play nice.
But what was the real shocker at oscars 2025? Emilia Pérez, Jacques Audiard’s polarizing musical, flopped despite 13 nominations—a record loss rivaling The Color Purple (1985).
Red Carpet Roll Call: Witchy Vibes and Vintage Lace
If the Oscars 2025 red carpet had a theme, it was “go green or go home.” Cynthia Erivo, playing Wicked’s Elphaba, stunned in a deep green Louis Vuitton velvet gown that screamed “I’ll get you, my pretty!” Meanwhile, Ariana Grande’s pink Schiaparelli confection had fans debating: “Glinda the Good Witch or Barbie’s bridesmaid?”
Not to be outdone, Selena Gomez shimmered in a Ralph Lauren gown bedazzled with 16,000 crystals (“Because why wear clothes when you can wear a disco ball?”), and Timothée Chalamet channeled Bob Dylan in a leather jacket so cool, it probably smokes cigars backstage.
Conan O’Brien’s Hindi Hello: Well-Meaning or Cringe-Masala?
The oscars 2025’th night’s biggest “wait, what?” moment came when Conan O’Brien greeted Indian viewers with:
“Namaskar. Nashte ke saath Oscar kar rahe hai aap log!”
(Translation: “Greetings! Enjoy Oscars with your breakfast!”).
The internet erupted faster than a RRR dance sequence:
- “Conan’s Hindi sounds like Google Translate after three margaritas.” – @BollywoodBae
- “Respect the effort, but my ears are filing for divorce.” – @DelhiDude
- “He butchered Hindi so badly, I’ve suddenly become a language purist.” – @GrammarGandalf
Even Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis weighed in—sort of. While not directly addressing Conan’s linguistic adventure, he recently defended Indian talent amid another controversy:
“Our artists are global icons. Mocking them shows ignorance of India’s cultural power.”.
This nod came weeks after Fadnavis slammed YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia for a crude joke on India’s Got Latent, stating: “Freedom of speech stops where others’ dignity begins”. Though unrelated to the Oscars, the parallel wasn’t lost on fans. “First Ranveer, now Conan—why’s everyone dissing Indian stars?” a fan tweeted.
Oscar 2025 Moments That Had Us Sobbing, LOLing, or Both
- Adrien Brody vs. The Teleprompter: After his speech ran long, Brody ad-libbed: “Cutting me off? My dad’s ghost is side-eying you, Academy.”
- Defying Gravity, Literally: Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s Wicked medley ended with Erivo hitting a note so high, nearby wine glasses shattered.
- Timothée’s Bob Dylan Cameo: The actor wandered onstage strumming a guitar, mumbled “Like a Rolling Stone,” and left. “Peak Dylan impersonation: confusing and brilliant,” declared Variety.
Why This Oscars Mattered
Beyond the glitz, Oscars 2025 spotlighted three key trends:
- Globalization Gone Right (and Wrong): Conan’s Hindi hiccup highlighted Hollywood’s awkward embrace of international audiences.
- Nostalgia vs. Newness: Veterans like Brody triumphed, but Anora’s win proved fresh stories still rule.
- Fashion as Storytelling: From Elphaba’s green gown to Chalamet’s Dylan cosplay, outfits weren’t just looks—they were plot twists.
Final Reel: What’s Next?
As the Dolby Theatre lights dimmed, fans wondered: Will Conan return? (“Only if he promises Hindi lessons,” joked @MumbaiMemeKing). Will Wicked ever win Best Picture? (“At this rate, ask us in 2030,” sighed Vanity Fair). And most importantly—will Samay Raina actually host next year, as Conan joked?
while oscars 2025 made One thing’s clear: Oscar Awards aren’t just about gold statues. They’re about moments that make us gasp, cringe, and tweet furiously. And honestly? We wouldn’t have it any other way.
Catch more behind-the-scenes drama and deep dives into your favorite stars at Drunken Tailor—where we mix cocktails, couture, and chaos, one headline at a time. 🍸✂️
