Every year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences invites artists, technicians, and executives to join the organisation. The official statement reads that the membership selection is based on professional qualifications, with an ongoing commitment to representation, inclusion and equity.
Joining this year’s class of invitees, which has 71 Oscar nominees, including 15 winners, are actors Suriya, and Kajol. The list also includes celebrated filmmakers Pan Nalin and Reema Kagti. Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh, the makers of Oscar-nominated documentary Writing with Fire, have also made the cut.
Last year, we saw the likes of Vidya Balan, Ekta Kapoor join the Class of 2021. Over the years, we have seen Oscar winner AR Rahman, and actors Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan join the Academy. Producers Guneet Monga and Aditya Chopra are Academy members too.
The news of the latest entrants into the Academy has gone viral on social media, with congratulatory wishes pouring in for the distinguished additions.