The AMPAS is the body that confers the Oscar awards every year, and its membership is automatically supposed to include all those nominated for an award.
Gowariker, with his nomination for Best Foreign Film for Lagaan in 2002, is now eligible to vote for the Oscars.
This entitles the filmmaker to the benefits extended to every member of the jury. This enviably includes the fact that he'll be shipped every single film nominated for the Acadamey Awards on DVD!
The Mid-Day reported the Swades director, rightly pleased with the citation, gushing about the esteemed positions benefits: "This means I can now use the Academy's library, film archives, attend screenings and the Academy Awards night. I will also be able to exercise my vote for selecting the best of mainstream American films."
He wistfully added, crushing Indian hopes with a disillusioning dose of realism: "I wish I could vote for foreign films, but that category is not included."