What is the Real Name of the Oscar? Winners Cannot Sell Their Statues, Learn the Rules

Los Angeles, March 15: The most prestigious event in the film industry, the Oscar Awards, also known as the 98th Academy Awards, is taking place tonight at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. This evening will honor the finest films, actors, directors, and other artists for their remarkable contributions in 2025.

Indian audiences can watch the event live on the morning of March 16. The show will begin at 7 PM Eastern Time (ET) in the United States, which translates to 4:30 AM Indian Standard Time (IST) on Monday.

In India, the event will be live-streamed on the JioCinema app and website starting at 4:30 AM. It will also be broadcast live on the Star Movies channel at the same time. For those who miss the morning broadcast, the entire show will be available later on JioCinema, and a repeat telecast will air on Star Movies at 9 PM.

There are many interesting and lesser-known facts about the Oscars. One of the most significant is the name itself. While we commonly refer to it as the ‘Oscar’, its official name is the Academy Award of Merit. The nickname ‘Oscar’ became so popular that it is now recognized worldwide.

The story behind the name ‘Oscar’ is quite fascinating. In the 1930s, Margaret Herrick, the Academy’s librarian (later the executive director), jokingly remarked that the statue resembled her Uncle Oscar. The name caught on so well that it started appearing in newspapers in 1934, and by 1939, the Academy officially adopted it. Today, the term ‘Oscar’ has become synonymous with film awards.

There are also important rules regarding the Oscars. Winners cannot sell their Oscar statues. Since 1951, the Academy has enforced strict regulations stating that if a winner or their heirs wish to sell the statue, they must first offer it back to the Academy for just $1. This rule is in place to maintain the dignity of the Oscar and prevent it from becoming a commercial item. Statues awarded before 1951 can be sold, but those awarded after cannot.

The statue itself is quite unique. It stands 13.5 inches (approximately 34 cm) tall and weighs 8.5 pounds (about 3.85 kg). Made of solid bronze, it is coated with 24-karat gold. It feels quite heavy when held.

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