Kamal Haasan and Ayushmann Khurrana are part of the 534 new individuals invited by the Academy for membership this year for Oscars voting. The two Indian stars join a global community that already includes names like Ariana Grande, Mikey Madison, Jason Momoa, Aubrey Plaza, Margaret Qualley, Sebastian Stan, Jeremy Strong, and others. Other notable Indian figures in this prestigious line-up include casting director Karan Mally, cinematographer Ranabir Das, costume designer Maxima Basu, and documentary filmmaker Smriti Mundhra. Filmmaker Payal Kapadia, who has already made waves with All We Imagine as Light at major global awards and festivals, is also included in the roster.
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The list was revealed on June 26 via the Academy's official website and social media platforms. Other invitees include Jimmy Kimmel, Brandi Carlile, Andrew Watt, Branford Marsalis, and Conan O’Brien, who have been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.
As reported by Variety, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang stated, "We are thrilled to invite this esteemed class of artists, technologists, and professionals to join the Academy. Through their commitment to filmmaking and to the greater movie industry, these exceptionally talented individuals have made indelible contributions to our global filmmaking community."
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About the Academy's membership
If all the artists accept the Academy's invitation, its total membership will increase to 11,120, which includes 10,143 voting members, spanning over 60 countries and territories outside the United States.
The 98th Oscars will be broadcast on March 15, 2026. Significant rule changes include mandatory film viewing for voters, a new Casting category, AI usage guidelines, and updated deadlines for Best Picture, music, and shorts. Nominations will be announced on January 22, 2026.
