In a statement shared by the Academy of Motion Picture Art and Science, 397 new members had been invited to be a part of the Academy. Kajol and Suriya are amongst the latest additions to the list including directors Rinku Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh who are known for Writing with Fire.
An Insight into the Selection Criteria for the Academy
The Academy invited executives and artists with distinguished contributions to the entertainment industry especially theatrical motion pictures. In a statement uploaded by the Academy of Motion Picture Art and Science, the selection was concerned with professional qualifications, especially one’s commitment based on inclusion, equity, and representation of communities. With 44% women and 37% minorities/underrepresented community inclusion 50% of the invitees are from 53 regions outside the United States of America. With a motive to be inclusive, seven branches have invited more women than men and nine panels had more non-American invitees than American ones.
This brings the total tally of Oscar members to a whooping 10,665 number. Amongst them, nearly 9665 members shall be eligible for voting at the Oscars. The 95th Oscars is expected to take place on 12th March 2024. The list also includes 71 Nominees for the Oscars and 15 winners of it.
Kajol, Suriya, and Other Invitees from India and Their Contribution
Among the invitees from India, prolific ones include Bollywood Actress Kajol and Tamil Actor Suriya.
Suriya emerged as the first Tamil Actor to join the Oscar Panel making the entire nation proud. His impressive performance in the magnum opus, Jai Bhim makes him an eminent aspect of progressive cinema that pushes past boundaries and highlights reality. His movie, Sorarai Potru had also been hailed as one of the record-breaking films of 2020. He makes the mark as the first South-Indian actor to join the Academy List of 2022.
Apart from him, Bollywood actress Kajol has also been featured in the magnificent list. Her cinematic contributions through classic films like Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge make her earn a deserving place on this list. Roles in My Name Is Khan and Tribhanga which show her zeal as an actor bagged her the place. These two stars have been invited as an extension of the Actors Branch of the Academy.
The Documentary Branch include writers Sushmit Ghosh and Rinku Thomas who’ve been acclaimed for their ‘Writing with Fire’ which was featured at the 2022 Academy Awards as a Nomination for Best Documentary Feature. Hindi filmmaker and writer, Reema Kagti whose famous works include Gully Boy and Talaash also joins the Academy as a part of the Writers Panel.
Indian American Adiya Sood who produced ‘Deadpool’ and ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ joins the Academy’s Class of 2022.
Previous Invitees to the Academy Panel
Indians have always been an essential part of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Previously Oscar-Winning Musician A.R. Rahman was also a part of this panel. Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Vidya Balan, and Aamir Khan are also a part of the allured list of Academy Members.
Apart from Indians, the glamorous list of 397 new invitees includes West Side Story fame, Ariana DeBose, and The Lost Daughter’s Jessie Buckley. Global artists like Billie Eilish who sang ‘No Time To Die’ and Dune screenwriter Jon Spaihts feature the list.
