RRR’s Naatu Naatu creates Oscar history for India

The powerful and very energetic ‘Naatu Naatu’ song from SS Rajamouli’s blockbuster ‘RRR’ has brought much cheer for Indians as it won the Oscar Award for Best Music – Original Song at the 95^th Academy Awards.

Composed by MM Keeravani and sung by Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava, ‘Naatu Naatu’ has been winning over international audiences even before the Oscar win. The energetic dance number has earlier won a Golden Globe and Critic’s Choice Award for Best Original Song in January this year.

Picturised on two of South Cinema’s biggest stars – Jr NTR and Ram Charan – ‘Naatu Naatu’ was shot on the grounds of Mariinskyi Palace in Kyiv, the official residence of Ukraine’s President. It has anti-colonial themes, where the two Indian revolutionaries challenge British officials to a dance standoff.

The song was also performed live at the 95^th Academy Awards by Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava and introduced by Deepika Padukone to a standing ovation from everyone present. The stage was converted to resemble the set of the ‘Naatu Naatu’ in ‘RRR’.

Another Indian offering, ‘The Elephant Whisperers’, won the Oscars for Best Documentary Short Film. The film, which has been directed by Kartiki Gonsalves and produced by Guneet Monga, narrates the story of the strong bonds between a South Indian couple, Bomman and Bellie, and an orphaned elephant calf.

However, another Indian documentary film, ‘All that breathes’, nominated in the Best Documentary Feature Film category, lost out to ‘Navalny’.