Ariana Grande Fans Cheer as Indians Join Oscars Academy
The new members will bring a fresh perspective to the Academy, and their contributions will be eagerly awaited. As the Oscars continue to evolve, the inclusion of diverse talent and perspectives will play a significant role in shaping the future of cinema.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has invited 534 new members, including over a dozen Indians, to join its ranks, marking a significant increase in India's representation in the global film community. Kamal Haasan and Ayushmann Khurrana are among the Indian invitees, making Haasan the second Indian actor to receive an invitation after Suriya in 2022.
The new members are 41% women, 45% from underrepresented communities, and 55% from outside the US, contributing to the Academy's increasing international profile. The invitees hail from 60 countries and territories outside the US, and include recent Oscar winners and nominees. This group represents a diverse spectrum of talent, perspectives, and geographic backgrounds, and will help shape the future of cinema.
India's increasing presence in the Academy translates to greater representation in global film conversations, awards consideration, and a stronger voice in shaping the future of cinema. The next Oscars are scheduled for March 15, 2026, and new rules mandate members watch all films in a category before voting. The Academy is reshaping itself, and India is more visible in its evolving landscape than ever before.
The Academy's membership will rise to 11,120, with 10,143 members able to vote, and India's track record at the Oscars remains modest, with only 10 Oscar trophies earned to date. However, with the increasing representation of Indian artists and executives in the Academy, the future of Indian cinema looks promising.