KT Edit: An Oscar for everyone at the Academy Awards

Diversity took the top honour at this year's Oscars. About time, shall we say, for inclusivity in showbiz. And to think that it took 91 years for stars from different regions and races to stand together on the world's biggest stage for films with their gleaming statues. It was a night to remember for the ages. The diversity on show in Los Angeles came with oodles of talent, because that's what matters when you make movies that are competing with each other. A lack of diversity has caused political and social upheaval in Hollywood in the past. Actors have been denied opportunities based on their colour, gender, the way they look, even their ideology and sexual orientation. The 91st Academy Awards trains the focus on a new wave of cinema that moves people and touches their lives. It could be raw and controversial like the Green Book (Best Picture), which also bagged Mahershala Ali his second Oscar for the Best Supporting Actor, and The Favourite that saw a surprise winner in Olivia Colman for the Best Actress. The range of movies and winners were remarkable, which added to this diversity we mentioned earlier.
The diversity on show was wholesome, complete and satisfying for the masses as new stars were born on this Oscar night that will go down in history for throwing up a first Arab-origin winner in Rami Malek, who played singer Freddie Mercury, another immigrant of Indian-origin. Rami, an Egyptian Copt, took home the Best Actor Oscar for his almost lifelike portrayal of the high-pitched, octave-busting Freddie, who succumbed to Aids in 1991. There were disappointments, too. Actress Glenn Close came so close but was again so far to an Oscar for Best Actress - seven times nominated but never a winner. She lost despite a stirring performance in The Wife. Perhaps unfair to the veteran actress who may (rightly) feel that this fetish for wider diversity stole a march over talent. Individual misses apart, these awards have achieved what other ceremonies never did in nine decades. It has flung the doors wide open to world movies and stars. Any aspirant with starry eyes or a migrant is now welcome to Hollywood's signature night. The Oscars statuettes are not exclusive anymore, they are for everyone.