New Delhi:Filmmaker and composer, editors Deepa Bhatia and A Sreekar Prasad, costume designer Eka Lakhani and casting director Dilip Shankar are among the Indian film personalities invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organisation behind the Oscars. A total of 529 artists and film professionals from around the world have been invited to membership this year.
The Indian artists invited this year to join the Oscars body are:
The Academy has invited Vishal Bhardwaj who is known as a filmmaker to the music branch. He was a composer before he became a director and has always composed music for his own films including Maqbool, Omkara, Kaminey and Haider. He has also scored for Gulzar’s Maachis and most recently, produced by Manish Malhotra.
I am very honoured and excited to have been invited to become a member of the Academy. “It’s a privilege to be a part of the most prestigious platform for world cinema. I look forward to participating in the voting process,” Bhardwaj said in a statement.
Film editor Deepa Bhatia, who has worked on films like Taare Zameen Par, My Name Is Khan, Rock On!!, Kai Po Che! and Raees, also took to social media to share the news. "Honoured to be invited by the Academy, along with people I so respect @vishalrbhardwaj," Bhatia posted on Instagram.
Another invitee from India is veteran editor A Sreekar Prasad. He has edited critically acclaimed films in multiple languages like Kaminey, Talvar, Pazhassi Raja and Kattradhu Thamizh. Costume designer Eka Lakhani, who has worked on films such as Ponniyin Selvan, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, Leo and Dunki, also thanked them for the invitation. Honoured. Humbled. Thankful. Deeply honoured to be invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.” It's an honor to be part of a community of artists whose work I have admired, learned from and been inspired by for years. “To the magic of storytelling,” Lakhani wrote, tagging her fellow Indian invitees.
Casting director Dilip Shankar has also been invited to the Academy’s newly formed casting branch. . He is known for his work on Mira Nair's Monsoon Wedding and Pan Nalin's The Last Show . said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor in a joint statement. “This year’s very talented class has made a significant contribution to our global movie industry through their dedication to filmmaking,” they said.
Academy expands global membership by inviting over 500 artists
The Academy also pointed out that membership is granted via sponsorship rather than an application process. Nominees for an Oscar are automatically considered for membership in the year of their nomination and do not need sponsors.
The Academy says invitations are based on professional achievements but continue to prioritize representation, inclusion and equity. This year’s invitees include 42 per cent women, 56 per cent underrepresented communities, and 53 per cent from 60 countries and territories outside the United States.
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