Kajol, Suriya, 'Writing With Fire' directors among 397 new Academy members

Mumbai, June 29

Actors Kajol, Suriya, and filmmakers Sushmit Ghosh, Rintu Thomas, Reema Kagti and Pan Nalin are among the 397 new members invited this year by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

In a statement shared on its website, the Academy on Tuesday night said the list includes artistes and executives who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures.

Membership selection is based on professional qualifications, with an ongoing commitment to representation, inclusion and equity remaining a priority. 

“The 2022 class is 44% women, 37% belong to underrepresented ethnic/racial communities, and 50% are from 53 countries and territories outside the United States,” the Academy said in the statement.

Kajol, the star of Hindi films such as ‘My Name Is Khan’ and ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’, and Suriya, popular for his work in Tamil cinema through films ‘Jai Bhim’ and ‘Soorarai Pottru’, have been invited by the actors branch.

Ghosh and Thomas, whose ‘Writing With Fire’ was nominated in the best documentary feature category at this year’s Academy Awards, are included in the documentary branch.

Kagti, known for Hindi films such as ‘Talaash’, ‘Gully Boy’ and ‘Gold’, has received an invitation from the writers branch.

Nalin, best known for his films ‘Samsara’, ‘Angry Indian Goddesses’ and ‘Last Film Show’, has been invited by the directors branch.

From the Indian film industry, Oscar-winner AR Rahman, megastar Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Vidya Balan, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan and Ali Afzal as well as producers Aditya Chopra, Guneet Monga, Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor are already the Academy members.

British director of Indian origin Aneil Karia is also part of the invitee list sent out by the directors branch. Karia’s ‘The Long Goodbye’, starring British-Pakistani star Riz Ahmed, won the Oscar in the live-action short film category this year.

Among the invitees, there are 71 Oscar nominees, including 15 winners, the Academy said.