Kamal Haasan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Along With Ariana Grande, Invited To Join Oscar Academy Voting Panel

Indian actors Kamal Haasan and Ayushmann Khurrana have earned a major global honour as both have been officially invited to join the Academy!

Indian actors Kamal Haasan and Ayushmann Khurrana have earned a major global honour as both have been officially invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the prestigious body behind the Oscars. They now stand alongside international names like Ariana Grande, Jeremy Strong, and Sebastian Stan as part of the Academy’s 2025 invite list.

Ayushmann Khurrana, Kamal Haasan Join Academy Voting List

On June 26, the Academy released the names of 534 professionals from the global film and entertainment industry who have been extended invitations to join its various branches. For the uninitiated, this is done to diversify the voting panel by Academy. From India, the list doesn’t stop with Haasan and Khurrana. Several other prominent Indian film professionals have also been recognised. These include casting director Karan Mally, cinematographer Ranabir Das, costume designer Maxima Basu, documentary filmmaker Smriti Mundhra, and internationally acclaimed director Payal Kapadia.

Joining them on the international front are several well-known names in Hollywood, including Dave Bautista, Jason Momoa, Danielle Deadwyler, Andrew Scott, and Succession stars Kieran Culkin and Jeremy Strong. Late-night host Conan O’Brien, who will also host the 2026 Oscars, is among the invitees. According to the Academy, if all new invitees accept their membership, the organisation will grow to over 11,100 members, with around 10,143 of those eligible to vote for the Oscars.

The selection process is carefully managed, and applicants can’t apply as they have to be nominated by existing members from within their professional branch. The goal, the Academy says, is to bring in talent that not only shows professional excellence but also supports the organisation’s push for better representation and inclusion.

Also Read: Tom Cruise, Debbie Allen, And More Artists Will Receive Honorary Awards At Oscars 2025. Here’s Why!

This year’s invite list is diverse: 41% of those invited are women, 45% belong to underrepresented communities, and more than half are from outside the U.S. For the unversed, the upcoming Oscars is set for March 15, 2026, with nominations going to be announced on January 22.

Also Read: Oscars Voters Find This Loophole In New Rule To Avoid Watching All Nominated Films

First Published: June 27, 2025 11:52 AM