Exclusive | Eka Lakhani on being invited to join The Academy: 'Honour to join a community of artists I've admired'

INdian dress up intriguer and famous person stylist Eka Lakhani has added another john r. Major achievement to her calling after receiving an invitation to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), the organisation behind the Oscars. For Indian cinema, it is another proud moment as more homegrown talent continues to gain recognition on one of the biggest international platforms. Eka Lakhani's invitation comes more than four decades after legendary costume designer Bhanu Athaiya became the first Indian to win an Academy Award for Gandhi in 1983.She also joins a steadily expanding group of Indian film professionals who are now Academy members. The list includes Vishal Bhardwaj, Deepa Bhatia, Dilip Shankar, A. Sreekar Prasad, Avneet Kaur, Farah Khan (production expert), Rajesh Ramachandran, Becky Graham and Jay Mehta.A lifelong love for cinemaReacting to the honour, Eka Lakhani tells Hindustan Times, “I've been a lifelong fan of cinema and as a costume designer from India, this invitation feels incredibly special. 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 career built on storytelling through costumesEka Lakhani's journey into cinema began with a strong foundation in fashion. After graduating from the London College of Fashion, she started her career as a fashion stylist, working with leading publications and celebrities. Those early years helped her develop an eye for detail that later became one of the defining features of her work in films.Over the years, she has established herself as one of India's most respected costume designers, creating looks that feel authentic to both the characters and the stories they inhabit. Whether it is the grandeur of a historical epic or the simplicity of a contemporary drama, Lakhani's work has consistently balanced creativity with realism.Her filmography includes Ponniyin Selvan: I & II, where she recreated the rich visual world of the Chola empire, Dunki, Sanju, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, Mardaani 3, OK Jaanu and her early work as an assistant costume designer on Jab Tak Hai Jaan.Outside films, Eka Lakhani is also one of India's most sought-after celebrity stylists. She has worked with stars including Ranveer Singh, Karan Johar, Sachin Tendulkar and his family, along with several leading names from the entertainment industry.