He played cricket for UP, studied at DU’s Hindu College. The 9-time National Award winner now gets an Oscars role

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has officially announced its latest membership class, inviting 529 film professionals from around the world to join the Oscars voting body. The list features actors, filmmakers, composers, technicians and artists from several countries, including six names from India. Among the most invitees is acclaimed filmmaker and composer Vishal Bhardwaj, whose decades-long contribution to Indian cinema has now earned him a place among those who help shape the future of the Academy Awards.

From cricket grounds to cinema screens: Vishal Bhardwaj's journey

Long before he became one of India's most celebrated filmmakers, Vishal Bhardwaj had a very different dream. During his younger years, he was a talented cricketer who represented Uttar Pradesh at the under-19 level. His performances on the field were impressive enough for him to secure admission to Delhi University's prestigious Hindu College through the sports quota.

Many believed Bhardwaj had the potential to build a successful cricket career. In fact, former Indian cricket captain and selector Dilip Vengsarkar once said that Indian cricket's loss became Indian cinema's gain, as reported by Mint.


However, life took an unexpected turn. A thumb injury during a practice session kept him away from an important tournament. Around the same time, he suffered a personal tragedy when his father passed away. Both the events reportedly ended his cricketing ambitions and pushed him towards a completely different path.

That path eventually led him to the world of music and filmmaking, where he would go on to leave a lasting impact.

The filmmaker who redefined literary adaptations

Vishal Bhardwaj first gained widespread recognition as a music composer. While he had worked on projects earlier, it was his soundtrack for Gulzar's Maachis in 1996 that brought him into the spotlight. The film's music was praised for its emotional depth and helped establish him as a major creative force in the industry.

Over time, Bhardwaj expanded into directing and screenwriting, developing a distinct style that brings literary storytelling with Indian social and political realities.

His biggest critical successes came through his celebrated Shakespeare trilogy, Maqbool, Omkara, and Haider. Inspired by Macbeth, Othello, and Hamlet respectively, the films transformed classic English tragedies into uniquely Indian stories

Beyond these films, Bhardwaj has built a reputation for creating atmospheric stories supported by memorable music. His collaborations with lyricist Gulzar and singer Rekha Bhardwaj have produced several acclaimed songs over the years.

His achievements have been recognised repeatedly at the national level. For the unversed, Vishal Bhardwaj is a recipient of nine National Film Awards.

Most recently, he directed O Romeo, starring Shahid Kapoor, Triptii Dimri and Avinash Tiwary. The film was released on February 13, 2026 and received mixed responses.

About Oscars 2027 voting invite

Vishal Bhardwaj is one of six Indian professionals invited to join the Academy this year. The list also includes editors Deepa Bhatia and A Sreekar Prasad, costume designer Eka Lakhani, casting director Dilip Shankar, and animator Avneet Kaur.

Their names appear alongside several international stars and filmmakers, including Jenna Ortega, Jacob Elordi, Josh O'Connor, Simu Liu, Teyana Taylor, Zach Cregger, Anthony Ramos, Bill Skarsgård and Mia Goth.

Academy membership is considered one of the film industry's highest honours because it grants members the opportunity to vote in future Oscar races. If all 529 invitees accept their invitations, the Academy's membership will rise to 11,319 members, including 10,338 voting members.