Vishal Bhardwaj, costume designer Eka Lakhani among Indians invited by The Academy
Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj and costume designer Eka Lakhani are among the Indian film professionals invited to join the Academy.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has invited 529 film professionals to join its 2026 membership class, paving the way for them to become Oscar voters if they accept. Among the invitees are several Indian names, including filmmaker-composer Vishal Bhardwaj, costume designer Eka Lakhani, casting director Dilip Shankar, editor Deepa Bhatia and multiple National Award-winning editor A Sreekar Prasad.
The invitation places the Indian film professionals among a global cohort that includes 95 Oscar nominees, 21 Oscar winners and three recipients of Scientific and Technical Awards. Membership in the Academy grants voting rights for the Oscars, making the invite a significant recognition within the global film industry.
The list also includes India-linked professionals such as animation artist Avneet Kaur, production and technology experts Farah Khan and Rajesh Ramachandran, and visual effects professionals Becky Graham and Jay Mehta.
What does Academy membership mean?
Academy membership is one of the film industry's most prestigious honours. Members are eligible to vote on Oscar nominations and winners within their respective branches and, in certain categories, across the wider awards process.
If all 529 invitees accept membership, the Academy's total membership will rise to 11,319, including 10,338 voting members.
How diverse is the Academy's 2026 class?
According to figures released by the Academy, 42 per cent of the invitees are women, 56 per cent are from underrepresented communities and 53 per cent come from 60 countries and territories outside the United States.
In a joint statement, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor said they were delighted to welcome the new class of film artists and professionals, describing them as a group that has made significant contributions to the global movie industry.
While the Academy's 2026 intake is slightly smaller than last year's class of 534 invitees, it continues the organisation's efforts to broaden international representation and diversify its membership base.