On Wednesday, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) issued the list of 529 new members who are now invited to the voting body for the Oscars. Among Indian film personalities, filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj, and renowned film editors Deepa Bhatia and A Sreekar Prasad are part of the said invite list.
Vishal Bhardwaj, who began his career as a composer with Maachis (1996), went on to be one of the most acclaimed filmmakers of 21st century with films like Maqbool (2004), Omkara (2006), and Haider (2014). His previous film O ‘Romeo released earlier this year. While Sreekar over his illustrious career of 45 years has worked on iconic films like RRR, Dil Chahta Hai, and Saathiya among many others, Deepa’s filmography includes Taare Zameen Par, Rock On, My Name Is Khan and Kai Po Che.
Additionally, costume designer Eka Lakhani and casting director Dilip Shankar too have been invited to the panel. Other Indian film professionals invited to the panel include animation artist Avneet Kaur, production and technology experts Farah Khan and Rajesh Ramachandran.
Meanwhile, prominent Hollywood names who are part of the invite list are Josh O'Connor, Jenna Ortega, Jacob Elordi, Teyana Taylor, Simu Liu, Zach Cregger (Weapons), filmmakers Josh and Benny Safdie, Anthony Ramos, Bill Skarsgård, Mia Goth, Jon Bernthal, Jemaine Clement, Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù and Stephen Fry.
If all the newly invited members accept their invitations to the voting panel, the total voting members' count will go upto 10,338.
It is to be noted that three Indian figures — Kamal Haasan, Ayushmann Khurrana, and Payal Kapadia — were among the invitees to the Academy last year.
The 99th edition of Academy Awards are scheduled to be held on March 14 next year.