MUMBAI: In a proud moment for Indian cinema, acclaimed costume designer and celebrity stylist Eka Lakhani has been officially invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS),the prestigious international body responsible for the annual Academy Awards.
This recognition marks a major milestone for Lakhani, whose creative vision has shaped the aesthetic of major Indian blockbusters. Her invitation carries historical significance, coming over four decades after the legendary Bhanu Athaiya made history as the first Indian to win an Academy Award for her costume design in the 1983 epic Gandhi.
Expanding India’s Voice at the Oscars
Lakhani joins a growing, diverse cohort of Indian filmmakers, technicians, and artists who have been extended voting membership in the Academy’s 2026 class. The lineup of Indian invitees spans various cinematic disciplines:
- Direction & Composition: Vishal Bhardwaj
- Film Editing: Deepa Bhatia, A. Sreekar Prasad
- Casting & Animation: Dilip Shankar (Casting), Avneet Kaur (Animation)
- Production, Tech & VFX: Farah Khan, Rajesh Ramachandran, Becky Graham, Jay Mehta
If they accept, these professionals will gain voting privileges for future Oscars, contributing directly to the selection of global cinema’s highest honors.
“A Privilege to Contribute to World Cinema”
Reacting to the announcement, Lakhani shared her excitement over the honor, reflecting on her lifelong bond with the silver screen.
“I’ve been a lifelong fan of cinema and as a costume designer from India, this invitation feels incredibly special,” Lakhani told the media. “More than a decade on film sets has only deepened my love for storytelling. It’s an honour to join a community of artists I’ve admired for years, and it’s a privilege to contribute to the Academy’s process while continuing to discover and celebrate the very best of world cinema.”
A Global Push for Diversity
The Academy’s 2026 invitee class consists of 529 film professionals from 60 countries outside the United States. Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Lynette Howell Taylor welcomed the new class in a joint statement, praising their “exceptional talent” and “significant contributions to our global movie industry.”
With 42% of this year’s invitees being women and 56% coming from underrepresented ethnic communities, the induction reflects the Academy’s ongoing efforts to diversify its voting panel and honor impactful global talent.
Reported By: News Desk I Lahore
