Oscars 2025: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) invited 534 artists and executives this year, including actors Kamal Haasan, Ayushmann Khurrana, and Cannes Grand Prix winner Payal Kapadia. The Academy, headquartered in Los Angeles and responsible for the Oscars Awards, announced the ‘Oscars’ Class of 2025 on Thursday evening.

The Writers’ Branch invited Payal Kapadia for her acclaimed works, All We Imagine as Light (Cannes Grand Prix 2024 winner) and A Night of Knowing Nothing. Meanwhile, the Actors’ Branch extended invitations to Kamal Haasan (Vikram, Nayakan) and Ayushmann Khurrana (Article 15, Andhadhun).

Academy President Janet Yang and CEO Bill Kramer expressed their excitement in welcoming this distinguished group of professionals. “These exceptionally talented individuals have made indelible contributions to our global filmmaking community through their commitment to cinema and the broader industry,” said Yang in an official statement. The Academy also clarified on its official website that membership across its 19 branches and one membership category is determined through sponsorship by existing members, not through application.

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Candidates applying to the Academy must secure support from two members of the specific branch or category they wish to join, except for Associates. However, Academy Award nominees don’t need sponsors; they automatically qualify for membership in the year of their nomination, as per the organization’s guidelines.

The Academy selects members based on professional credentials and prioritizes representation, inclusion, and equity. In the 2025 class, 41% of the invitees are women, 45% belong to underrepresented groups, and 55% come from 60 countries and territories outside the U.S., the Academy stated. The list of invitees includes three winners of the Scientific and Technical Awards and 91 Oscar nominees, 26 of whom have won. Among the notable Indian names who collaborated last year are veteran actress Shabana Azmi, RRR director SS Rajamouli, producer Ritesh Sidhwani, cinematographer Ravi Varman, Village Rockstars director Rima Das, and Naatu Naatu choreographer Prem Rakshith.

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