SS Rajamouli, Shabana Azmi invited to join The Academy!

On June 25, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences invited 487 new members to join. Some of the invitees include SS Rajamouli, Shabana Azmi, Rama Rajamouli, and Ritesh Sidhwani. The list also features 71 people who have been nominated for Oscars, including 19 winners.

In addition to the celebrities mentioned, invites were also extended to cinematographer Ravi Varman, filmmaker Rima Das, and Prem Rakshith, the choreographer of Naatu Naatu, among others.

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If all the invities accept, then the total membership will go up to 10,910, where more than 9,000 will be eligible to vote. 

Going by The Academy press release, the Class of 2024 has 44 per cent who identify as women, 41 per cent belonging to underrepresented ethnic/racial communities and 56 per cent are from 56 countries and territories outside the US.

Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said, "We are thrilled to welcome this year’s class of new members to the Academy.

 These remarkably talented artists and professionals from around the world have made a significant impact on our filmmaking community." Those who are invited by the Academy in multiple branches will have to choose one branch upon accepting membership.