RRR's Oscar was recognition for India: Ram Charan at India Today Conclave

Ram Charan is in an ecstatic mood as his film, RRR, won an Oscar 2023 for Best Original Song. Naatu Naatu, which features Charan and Jr NTR, became a global sensation and won several awards and accolades. Today, he is one of the most celebrated actors in the country. 

The star took to the stage on Day 1 of India Today Conclave 2023 in New Delhi. The actor was part of a session called RRRoar: What it takes to make blockbusters. And leap across geography. This is his first appearance in public in India post Oscar win. Ram Charan opened up about Naatu Naatu's live performance at Oscars 2023, fatherhood, his father, Chiranjeevi, among other topics. 

ON WINNING OSCAR FOR RRR 

We touched down as a team. The whole RRR team touched home. Still soaking all the excitement. My wife is still pinching me. She's my lucky mascot. 5.5 months baby is our lucky mascot. All good things come at once and I think its true. 

HOURS BEFORE OSCAR 

Personally, I was just fortunate to be in the midst of the celebration. I have been a fanboy of the Academy since i was a kid. Nothing is bigger than being there. What India has given is my biggest award. Winning or not doesn't make a difference because we had reached the Oscars. It is 92 years of our industry. What this acknowledgement did to us, not us, is recognise our industry. For us to represent and be part of it was extraordinary. That was more important than winning the award. 

ON THE OSCAR WINNING MOMENT 

All of us were tensed and we went numb. All I could feel is my wife's hand holding me like Mike Tyson was holding. Since 2018, we had been shooting and the hard work that was put in. 

ON NAATU NAATU LIVE PERFORMANCE 

I was ready I was 100 percent ready to get that call. But I don’t know what happened. The trope did a better job than us. We have done that for so many interviews. It is now time for us to relax. 

ON DOING A HOLLYWOOD FILM 

I don't know sir. I would leave it in LA where I said that. We're working on it. But, it's too early to say. Everything is a process. Let it happen. EIt will happen. 

EMOTIONS BEFORE OSCAR WIN 

When asked about his emotions just before the film was announced as the winner, Ram said, “We went numb, no feeling. All I could feel was my wife’s tight hand. It was as if Mike Tyson was holding it. All that is the emotion we have been carrying since 2018. I am happy that they appreciated good cinema and the excellence of SS Rajamouli, MM Keeravani, and Chanrabose.” 

Having said that the actor who marked his first public appearance post the Oscar win, shared that he has always been a fanboy of the academy when a kid. He added, “What India has given us is my biggest award, the rest is all feather in the cap.” 

WHAT RAM CHARAN WROTE AFTER RRR’S OSCAR WIN 

The same can be read, “RRR is and will always remain the most special film of our lives and of Indian Cinema history. I can't thank everyone enough for manifesting the Oscar Award. It still feels like I am living in a dream. Thank you all for the unstoppable support and love (sic).” 

His note further read, “SS Rajamouli garu and MM Keeravaani garu are the most precious gems of our Indian film industry. Thank you both for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this masterpiece. Naatu Naatu is an emotion across the globe. Thank you lyricist Chandrabose garu, singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava, and choreographer Prem Rakshith for bringing together this emotion (sic).” 

The Oscar was received by Naatu Naatu composer MM Keeravaani and lyricist Chandrabose. 

RAM CHARAN ON RRR'S OSCAR WIN 

At India Today Conclave 2023, Ram Charan reacted to his film RRR's Oscar win for Naatu Naatu. "I didn't touch down, but we touched down as a team. The whole RRR team touched down. And yes, it's been a couple of hours, two days, and we are still soaking in all the excitement," the actor said. 

He further revealed his wife Upasana and their to-be baby are lucky for him. "I am still pinching myself and my wife (Upasana) is still pinching me saying 'did it really happen yet? ye hua kya? She has been my lucky mascot and the 5-and-a-half-month-old baby inside her is even lucky for me." 

ON THE WORK FRONT FOR RAM CHARAN 

On the work front, Ram Charan had a fantastic 2022 with the stupendous success of RRR. He featured in the SS Rajamouli directorial with Jr NTR, Alia Bhatt, Ajay Devgn and Shriya Saran. The film released in cinemas on March 25, 2022. 

Next, he will be seen in RC 15 with Kiara Advani. 

'EVEN BEFORE I WANTED TO MEET, HE INVITED ME' 

Ram Charan, at India Today Conclave 2023, spoke about Salman Khan. He said, "Even before I wanted to meet, he invited me being my dad’s [Chiranjeevi] very old friend. They’ve done ads together for a very, very long time. Mr Salman Khan, he said ‘Beta, I heard you’re in town.’ I said, ‘How come?’ He said, ‘Nothing happens in Bombay (without him knowing).’ He invited me home and that warm reception I’ll keep in my heart." 

To this, moderator Rajdeep Sardesai told him, "Salman Khan is a great host but dangerous when he invites you home because the night doesn’t end till 5 am." And the actor replied, "No, Sir. He is very graceful. He lets us. If people want to stay, voluntarily they stay." When further asked, "You’re a bhai ka fan?" He replied in the affirmative and said, "Yes, sir, yes." 

ON THE WORK FRONT 

Ram Charan's last film, RRR, was a blockbuster. It even won India an Oscar for Naatu Naatu in the Best Original Song category. Currently, the actor is shooting for RC 15. It reportedly features Charan in two distinct avatars. The film stars Kiara Advani as the leading lady.