New Delhi: The Academy of Motion Pictures and Arts released their updated list of 398 new members joining them this year. The latest round of invitees to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences includes 'RRR' actors Ram Charan and Jr. NTR as well as renowned director Mani Ratnam. Other Indian invitees include Siddharth Roy Kapur, MM Keeravani, Karan Johar, Chaitanya Tamhane, Shaunak Sen, and KK Senthil Kumar.
Many Indian names have appeared on the list this year, joining global celebrities like Taylor Swift and Ke Huy Qwan. “The Academy is proud to welcome these artists and professionals into our membership. They represent extraordinary global talent across cinematic disciplines, and have made a vital impact on the arts and sciences of motion pictures and on movie fans worldwide," said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang.
The Academy stated in a statement that it continues to be committed to representation, inclusion, and equity and that membership is chosen based on professional skills.
The number of 398 persons on the list is nearly half what it was in recent years, as the academy cut back after trying to boost the number of women and people of colour members in response to social media outrage. The academy said that of the class of 2023, 40% identify as women, 34% are from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, and 52% are from 50 different nations and territories outside of the United States.
Indian artists made a big impression at the Oscars earlier this year. For RRR's 'Naatu Naatu', MM Keeravani and Chandrabose won the Oscar for Best Song. Best Documentary Short went to 'The Elephant Whisperers', an Indian production.
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