Indian Designer Eka Lakhani Earns Prestigious Oscars Invite

Eka Lakhani, a distinguished costume designer, received an invitation to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2026. This significant honor places her among a select group of global film industry professionals. She learned of the invitation unexpectedly through a congratulatory message from Guneet Monga, initially needing to verify the news.

Lakhani expressed immense gratitude, acknowledging the invitation as a "HUGE honor." She highlighted the profound impact of filmmaker Mani Ratnam on her career, referring to him as both her "film school" and her "costume design school." Her journey into costume design began when she joined Ratnam's film 'Raavan' in 2010.

Her extensive work with Ratnam spans over 15 years, deepening her understanding of costume's role in character development and visual storytelling. She also reflected on her experience working on 'Ok Jaanu,' a remake of Mani Ratnam's 'Ok Kanmani,' where she had a unique opportunity to revisit and refine character costumes.

Lakhani's inclusion marks a proud moment for Indian cinema, following in the footsteps of Bhanu Athaiya, the first Indian to win an Oscar. Her achievement is seen as a significant recognition of her contributions to the art of costume design.