Hrithik, Alia invited to Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

The two Bollywood actors were among 819 new invitees to the Academy.

Actors Hrithik Roshan and Alia Bhatt, casting directors Nandini Shrikent and Tess Joseph, costume designer Neeta Lulla, documentary filmmakers Nishtha Jain and Amit Madheshiya, visual effects supervisors Vishal Anand and Sandeep Kamal and film score composer Nainita Desai have been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
The list of 819 new invitees, which also includes Hollywood actresses Zendaya and Awkwafina, was published on Tuesday. Those who accept membership will have voting privileges at the 93rd Academy Awards which will be held on April 25, 2021.
Slammed again at the Oscars this year for nominating just one non-white actor, the Academy has boosted its efforts to increase female and ethnic minority membership in recent times.
The majority of actors invited to join this year were women, and more than half were from "underrepresented ethnic/racial communities," said an Academy statement.
Cynthia Erivo - the sole non-white acting nominee at February's Oscars, for Harriet - was on Tuesday's list of invitees, along with Eva Longoria, Joker star Zazie Beetz and upcoming Bond girl Ana de Armas.
"We look forward to continuing to foster an Academy that reflects the world around us in our membership, our programs, our new Museum, and in our awards," said Academy CEO Dawn Hudson in a statement. (With inputs from AFP)