Vidya Balan, Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor among 395 new Academy members

Bollywood star Vidya Balan and film producers Ekta Kapoor and mother Shobha Kapoor are among 395 new members invited this year by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In an announcement shared on its website, the Academy said the list includes artistes and executives from 50 countries who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures. Balan, who was recently seen in Amazon Prime Video movie “Sherni”, joins the class of 2021, that also features Hollywood big names such as Janet Jackson, Robert Pattinson, H.E.R., Henry Golding and Eiza Gonzalez.

Mother-daughter producer duo Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor, known for backing Hindi films like “The Dirty Picture”, “Udta Punjab” and “Once Upon a Time in Mumbai”, are part of the list of producers joining in as new members.

Oscar nominees Yuh-Jung Youn, Emerald Fennell, Dan Janvey, Maria Bakalova, Jon Batiste, Andra Day, Vanessa Kirby, Darius Marder, Christina Oh, Kemp Powers, Paul Raci and Steven Yeun have also been invited by the Academy this year.