India's Journey at the Golden Globe Awards: A Historical Overview

The Golden Globe Awards, a prestigious event in the film industry, celebrates global excellence in cinema and television. This article explores India's historical milestones at the Golden Globes, from early recognition with V. Shantaram's classic to recent achievements like A.R. Rahman's win and S.S. Rajamouli's nominations for RRR. Despite no nominations in 2026, the presence of stars like Priyanka Chopra exemplifies India's growing influence in global cinema. Join us as we delve into the significant moments that have shaped India's journey at the Golden Globes.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 12, 2026, 11:18 IST

Golden Globe Awards: A Prestigious Celebration

Golden Globe Awards are among the most esteemed accolades in the film and television industry. Held annually in January, this event honors outstanding work from around the globe. The 83rd Golden Globe Awards took place on January 11, 2026 (U.S. time) at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, with Nikki Glaser serving as the host. Although no Indian films or actors received nominations this year, Priyanka Chopra Jonas participated as a presenter, showcasing strong Indian representation.

Significant Milestones in India's Golden Globe History

Indian cinema has made several historic contributions to the Golden Globes. Here are some notable nominations and wins:

1957-1959: The classic Hindi film “Do Aankhen Barah Haath” by V. Shantaram won the Samuel Goldwyn International Film Award (the predecessor to Best Foreign Film). This marked India's first significant global recognition, as the film also won the Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival.

1983: Richard Attenborough's “Gandhi” (a co-production between India and the UK) won in five categories, including Best Actor (Ben Kingsley), Best Director, Best Screenplay, New Star of the Year, and Best Foreign Film. It was the most awarded film at the Golden Globes that year.

1989: Meera Nair's “Salaam Bombay!” received a nomination for Best Foreign Film. The film also won the Camera d'Or at Cannes and was nominated for an Oscar on behalf of India.

2002: Meera Nair's “Monsoon Wedding” was nominated again for Best Foreign Film.

2009: A.R. Rahman won the Best Original Score for “Slumdog Millionaire”, marking the first individual Golden Globe win for an Indian. The film secured a total of four Golden Globes.

2023: S.S. Rajamouli's “RRR” received two nominations – Best Non-English Language Film and Best Original Song for “Naatu Naatu”. The song, composed by M.M. Keeravani and performed by Rahul Sipligunj and Kala Bhairava, won the award, making it the first Indian and Asian song to achieve this honor.

Other Noteworthy Indian Connections

Payal Kapadia's “All We Imagine As Light” made history by receiving nominations for Best Director and Best Non-English Language Film at the 2025 Golden Globes, marking the first nomination for an Indian female director.

Alia Bhatt was recently awarded the Horizon Award by the Golden Globes, which recognizes emerging talent.

Stars like Salman Khan and Priyanka Chopra frequently appear at the event, either presenting or attending.

The Ongoing Global Journey of Indian Cinema

The global journey of Indian cinema continues to thrive, with works like RRR and Slumdog Millionaire showcasing Indian talent to the world. Despite the absence of nominations in 2026, Priyanka's presence and past victories remain a source of pride for Indian fans.