Directors Zoya Akhtar and Anurag Kashyap, along with veteran actor Anupam Kher, are among the 842 new members invited to be a part of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences aka the Oscar Academy.
With the current list of invitees, it does appear that the Academy has tried to be more inclusive. The 842 new members, across 59 countries, have brought the female membership to 50%. Currently, 29% of the members are POC, which is a significant jump from 8% in 2015.
Best. Day. Ever. We’re excited to invite these 842 inspiring storytellers to the Academy.
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) July 1, 2019
Tweet your welcome using #WeAreTheAcademy today.https://t.co/glplZscerD
Zoya Akhtar has been invited in the directors category, while Anurag Kashyap has been invited in the short film and features animation.
#WeAreTheAcademy https://t.co/SwOdGFxOLb
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) July 1, 2019
Anupam Kher – who has acted in several movies across Bollywood and Hollywood – has been invited in the actors category.
Thank you @TheAcademy for inviting me to become a member of the Academy Of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences!! It is the most amazing feeling to be part of a family of best talents in the world of cinema from India. I feel happy, humbled & honoured. Jai Ho!!🙏 #WeAreTheAcademy pic.twitter.com/2RCO5jOyw3
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) July 2, 2019
Many people took to Twitter to congratulate the trio, and acknowledge their many achievements.
Congratulations Anurag Kashyap @anuragkashyap72 for becoming Academy Member class of 2019. No one deserves it more than you. The true torch-bearer of relevant cinema in India. Congrats sir. #anuragkashyap #TheAcademy @TheAcademy
— vishesh (@vroy38) July 2, 2019
Congratulations @AnupamPKher @anuragkashyap72 @ZoyaAkhtarOff . You people are making country proud by your contribution in your field.
— rahul kumar (@crazyfrbusiness) July 2, 2019
Congratulations Mr. Anurag Kashyap ! You are one of our Indian proud talent who writes, acts, directs, and produces unique quality products.
— BoxOffice India & Intl (@BOIndiaIntl) July 3, 2019
Best wishes to your films in future !@anuragkashyap72 #WeAreTheAcademy
More power to Indian Cinema representation on a Global platform!
— Ashutosh Gowariker (@AshGowariker) July 2, 2019
Welcome to @TheAcademy !
CONGRATS #ZoyaAkhtar @anuragkashyap72 @riteshbatra @AnupamPKher #SherryBharda (VFX Producer – Hichki, Sui Dhaaga) and @srinivas_mohan (VFX Producer – 2.0, Baahubali 1)#WeAreTheAcademy https://t.co/vU1Mm7BiDw
Welcome #ZoyaAkhtar to the Academy !! Soo exciting ♥️♥️ https://t.co/yep02ypAIr
— Guneet Monga (@guneetm) July 1, 2019
Awesome that #ZoyaAkhtar is now part of @TheAcademy!!! https://t.co/voaHG91QsC
— Alankrita Shrivastava (@alankrita601) July 2, 2019
#ZoyaAkhtar you are a star….@excelmovies pic.twitter.com/qGZSm4mvhM
— Manash Jyoti Barua (@baruaMANASH) July 2, 2019
Congratulations zoieakhtar .. ❤️ .. well deserved .. happy for you and proud of you. 😘😘 https://t.co/Zit5CnzTU5
— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) July 2, 2019
I am sure that fellow Indians will be happy and proud to know that my daughter Zoya Akhtar who is a well known writer- director has been offered the membership of Oscar academy which is rare honour .
— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) July 2, 2019
In the past, actors Shah Rukh Khan, Naseeruddin Shah, Tabu and Madhuri Dixit, have also been invited as members.
