At the 2025 Oscars, host Conan O’Brien surprised viewers by greeting the Indian audience in Hindi. During his monologue, he said, “Namaskar. Nashte ke saath Oscar kar rahe hai aap log,” acknowledging the time difference and suggesting that viewers in India might be watching the Oscars during their breakfast.
This unexpected gesture quickly became a focal point on social media. Reactions ranged from appreciation of O’Brien’s effort to humorous critiques of his pronunciation. One Twitter user remarked, “Conan O’Brien deserves an Oscar for best attempt at a foreign language! Good job, though the Hindi was definitely Hinding!” Another commented, “Good attempt, but frankly, Conan totally butchered the Hindi greeting! #Oscars #Oscars2025.”
Looks like Conan went full barbarian on India at the Oscars. Mauled the Hindi language completely. But should be congratulated for at least trying… @ConanOBrien pic.twitter.com/39OmL9Oqwf
— eeta (@eeta) March 3, 2025
Some viewers acknowledged the effort behind the multilingual segment. A user noted, “Conan had to rehearse the part where he talked in the Spanish, India, and Chinese languages likely over 20 times. Respect. #Oscars2025.” Others found humor in the situation, with one tweeting, “My wife has noted Conan’s Hindi is terrible, but other than that, no notes.”
Regardless of the varied opinions on his pronunciation, O’Brien’s attempt to connect with the Indian audience highlighted the Oscars’ recognition of its global viewership. This moment not only added a unique flavor to the ceremony but also sparked widespread discussions, making the 2025 Oscars particularly memorable for audiences worldwide.
Conan O’Brien’s attempt to speak Hindi at the 2025 Oscars may not have been perfect, but it certainly sparked conversation. Whether people laughed at his pronunciation or appreciated the effort, it was a reminder of how pop culture and global audiences continue to interact in unexpected ways.