Bollywood stars Alia Bhatt, Hrithik Roshan and costumier Neeta Lulla are among the 819 artistes and executives who have received invitations to hitch the Academy of movie Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).
Bhatt’s last movie, Zoya Akhtar-directed “Gully Boy” was India’s official entry for best international feature category at the 2019 Oscars. However, the film had did not make it to the ultimate five.
Other prominent Indian names to receive invitations are casting director Nandini Shrikent, documentary filmmakers Nishtha Jain, Shirley Abraham, Amit Madheshiya, visual effects supervisors Vishal Anand and Sandeep Kamal.
In a statement, the Academy said the new invitees include 36 per cent of individuals of colour and 45 per cent women. Artistes from 68 countries are invited as members.
Those who accept the invitation will have voting rights at the 93rd Academy Awards, scheduled to be persisted April 25, 2021.
“The Academy is delighted to welcome these distinguished fellow travellers within the movie arts and sciences. we’ve always embraced extraordinary talent that reflects the rich sort of our global film community, and never more so than now,” Academy President David Rubin said.
The Academy has been actively working to introduce more diversity in its voting to avoid an issue like 2016 when the Oscars were dubbed “white” for failing to recognise talents of colour.
The 2020 batch boasts of major Hollywood names like Cynthia Erivo, John David Washington, Constance Wu, Zazie Beetz, Florence Pugh, Zendaya, Awkwafina, Yalitza Aparicio, Mackenzie Davis, Ana de Armas, Adele Haenel, Thomasin McKenzie, Olivia Wilde et al. .
The stars of multiple Oscar-winning South Korean movie “Parasite” — Jang Hye-Jin, Jo Yeo-Jeong, Park So-Dam and Lee Jung-Eun — are among the invitees.
Directors Lulu Wang, Ari Aster, Terence Davies, Matthew Vaughn, Robert Eggers, Matt Reeves, Alma Har’el are on the list also .
The Academy has announced a replacement five-year plan that has implementing inclusion standards for nominees.
“We take great pride within the strides we’ve made in exceeding our initial inclusion goals set back in 2016, but acknowledge the road ahead may be a long one. We are committed to staying the course.
