MUMBAI: Nicolas Chartier, producer of best picture nominee The Hurt Locker has been banned from attending the Oscar presentation ceremony on Sunday.

This is the first time in its history, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has banned a nominee from attending the Oscars.

It is said that Chartier‘s tickets have been revoked, and he will not be granted entry as a guest of any other attendee.

The decision comes on the heels of Chartier sending an e-mail message to a group of colleagues that included academy members asking them to choose The Hurt Locker for best picture and "not Avatar".

The message was deemed in violation of the Academy‘s ban against creating a negative impression of a rival nominee. However, Chartier later apologized for his actions.

Should The Hurt Locker win best picture, Chartier would be given his Oscar at a later date.

Though the Academy didn‘t disallow the film from competing for Oscars, the banning of a nominee from attending award ceremony is said to be unprecedented.