Oscars 2024: Nitin Desai & Lee Sun Kyun honoured during moving 'In Memoriam' segment

Indian art director Nitin Desai and South Korean actor Lee Sun-kyun were among those remembered during the touching 'In Memoriam' segment of the 96th Academy Awards. In the video that paid tribute to the lost souls, a clip from one of Desai's films played in the background along with a photo of him. In the second half of the video, 'Parasite' actor Lee Sun Kyun was also honoured. A snippet from one of the K-drama star's projects appeared in the background.

Who else was remembered in the 'In Memoriam' segment?

Aside from Nitin Desai and Lee Sun Kyun, the Oscars this year also paid tribute to 'Friends' star Matthew Perry, Harry Belafonte, Pee-wee Herman actor Paul Reubens, Melinda Dillon, Norman Jewison, Piper Laurie, Ryan O’Neal, Julian Sands, Carl Weathers, Treat Williams and Burt Young. Andrea Bocelli and her son Matteo Bocelli along with interpretive dancers performed during the 'In Memoriam' segment. The performance had everyone dewy-eyed.

Nitin Desai's shocking death

Nitin Desai breathed his last on August 2, 2023. He reportedly died by suicide. Desai made his debut as an art director in 1989 with the critically acclaimed film, 'Parinda' starring Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar and Madhuri Dixit. His other notable projects include '1942: A Love Story' (1993), 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' (1999), 'Raju Chacha' (2000), 'Devdas' (2002), 'Munnabhai M.B.B.S.' (2003), 'Dostana' (2008), and 'Once Upon a Time in Mumbai' (2010) among others.

Lee Sun Kyun's tragic demise

South Korean actor Lee Sun Kyun, known for his role in the Oscar-winning film, 'Parasite', was found dead in a park in Seoul on December 23, 2023. The actor reportedly claimed his own life after his name appeared in a rigorous government crackdown on illegal drugs. His contributions to South Korean cinema include leading roles in films like 'Helpless' (2012) and 'All About My Wife' (2014) and K-dramas 'Coffee Prince' (2007) and 'My Mister' (2018).

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