Anurag Kashyap, Zoya Akhtar, Anupam Kher,Ritesh Batra and visual artists Sherry Bharda and Srinivas Mohan are among the 842 new members invited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to join the Oscars organisation.
In the official announcement, the Academy said this year half of the invitees are women.It also tried to diversify, by adding almost 30 % artistes from different regions.
Academy shared the list on social media and asked members to acknowledge the invitation by using #WeAreTheAcademy.
Indian artiestes also feature in the list. Apart from veteran actor Anupam Kher, Sherry Bharda ( Hichki, Sui Dhaaga) and Srinivas Mohan ( 2.0, Baahubali: The Beginning) are in the visual effects category, Ritesh Batra ( Photograph) in the writers category, Archie Panjabi in actors category an Nisha Ganatra, Anurag Kahsyap abd Zoya Akhtar in the Directors’ category.
New invitees from across the world also include Lady Gaga, Sterling K. Brown, Claire Foy, Tom Holland and Adele. Newly invited directors include Crazy Rich Asians filmmaker Jon Chu, The Babadook director Jennifer Kent and the filmmaking duo- Phil Lord and Chris Miller.
Academy Awards next year will be held on February 9, several weeks earlier than usual.