A.R. Rahman invited onto Oscar board

A.R. Rahman has been invited to join the body which conducts the Oscars, according to reports.

The Bollywood composer gained worldwide fame earlier this year after winning an academy award for his score on Slumdog Millionaire.

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president Sid Ganis told The Times of India: "It's this kind of talent and creativity that makes up the academy and I welcome each of them to our ranks."

Rahman wrote on his blog: "Thanks the academy for the invitation to membership."

Other entertainment talents to be extended an invitation included Peter Gabriel, Emily Blunt and Casey Affleck, as well as the entire Slumdog technical team.

In total 134 actors, musicians and producers were asked to join the academy this week, with Rahman being the stand out Bollywood talent.