Legendary actress Sharmila Tagore, Into-American Director Deepa Mehta, and Slumdog Millionaire actress Freida Pinto, are part of the new Indian contingent to be included by the Academy of Motions Pictures Arts and Sciences in its latest class of members. As per Firstpost, the Academy extended invitations to 683 new members this year – the largest ever in its history – of which 46% were female and 41% belonged to non-Caucasian ethnicities, as it sent a clear message of diversifying following widespread criticism over its largely white members, who also happen to be mostly men.
British filmmaker, Asif Kapadia, was another inductee of Indian origin to be included as part of this year’s members. Academy President, Cheryl Boone Issacs, was quoted saying, “We are proud to welcome these new members to the Academy, and know they view this as an opportunity and not just an invitation, a mission, and not just a membership.”
Indeed a huge honor for Tagore, Mehta, and Pinto, and a proud moment for Indian cinema.
