Oscars 2025 Conan O'Brien Monologue: 'Namaskar' For India, Roast For Hollywood

Actor-comedian Conan O'Brien delivered a witty monologue during his debut as a host at the Oscars. At the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, he surprised viewers by speaking to the Indian audience in Hindi. Noting that the event was taking place in the morning in India, he said, "Namaskar! Aap log nashtay ke saath Oscars dekhna." ("Greetings to the people of India; it's morning there, so I hope you're having breakfast with the Oscars.")

The clip of O'Brien attempting to speak Hindi has gone viral. Many viewers joked he deserved an Oscar for "best attempt at foreign language." During his monologue, he took a satirical jab at many current events, including Hollywood trends and controversies.

Conan O'Brien deserves an Oscar for best attempt at a foreign language! 😂
Good job, though the Hindi was definitely Hinding! 👏 #Oscars2025 pic.twitter.com/AG0h2BOmFT

— Teri Maa Ki Jack 🇺🇸🇮🇳 (@TERIMAAKIJACK) March 3, 2025

Conan O'Brien Monologue: Best Jokes

O'Brien spoke about the Spanish-language film Emilia Pérez, which has been at the centre of a scandal over lead actress Karla Sofia Gascon's offensive social media posts. “Karla, if you are going to tweet about the Oscars, remember: My name is Jimmy Kimmel," he joked.

“I love Anora — Anora uses the f-word 479 times. That’s three more than the record set by Karla Sofia Gascon’s publicist," O'Brien said, then mimicking Gascon's publicist, "You tweeted WHAT?!" Karla Sofia Gascon was up for a Best Actress award. The film Emilia Pérez was nominated for 13 Oscars. 

Speaking about more of the Oscar-nominated films, O'Brien said, “How about those ladies Ariana and Cynthia? Wicked is nominated tonight in 10 categories. It’s the perfect movie for anyone who finished The Wizard of Oz and thought, ‘But where did all the minor characters go to college? That’s the story.'”

"I loved The Brutalist. I didn’t want it to end. And it didn’t. Conclave’s logline is: ‘A movie about the Catholic Church, but don’t worry.'"

"Timothee Chalamet is up for Best Actor. He’s nominated for his portrayal of Bob Dylan. Dylan wanted to be here tonight, but not that badly... He’s also in Dune 2. I’m told director Denis Villeneuve banned smartphones on the set. Apparently, his actors kept Googling, ‘What is his movie about.'”

“In Babygirl, Antonio Banderas plays a man who doesn’t know how to give his wife an orgasm. He said it was the most challenging role of his career.”

He dabbled in self-deprecating comedy during his sketch. “I know what you’re thinking ‘Did Conan not have work done?’ Seriously, he looks his age... A Complete Unknown, A Real Pain, Nosferatu — these are just some of the names I was called on the red carpet.”

“I want you to know, we did not use AI to make this show. No AI. We would never do that. We use child labour.”

O'Brien also joked about the Kendrick Lamar and Drake feud, saying, "We’re halfway through the show, which means it’s time for Kendrick Lamar to come out and call Drake a paedophile... Don’t worry, I’m lawyered up."

Conan O'Brien at the #Oscars: "Well, we're halfway through the show, which means it's time for Kendrick Lamar to come out and call Drake a pedophile." pic.twitter.com/KmbX3QjnlM

— Variety (@Variety) March 3, 2025

After Anora won an award, O’Brien remarked, “I guess people are happy to finally see somebody stand up to a powerful Russian.”