The song Naatu Naatu from the hit Telugu-language film RRR has made history by becoming the first Indian film song to win an Oscar. The blockbuster track won Best Original Song at the 95th Academy Awards, beating heavyweights like Lady Gaga and Rihanna.
The infectious Telugu-language dance number from director S.S. Rajamouli’s crossover action smash features music by composer M.M. Keeravani and lyrics by Chandrabose. It is the first song from an Indian film to be nominated and win in its category.
“Thank you, Academy. I grew up listening to the Carpenters, and now here I am with the Oscars,” Keeravani said in his acceptance speech, before breaking into song: “There was only one wish on my mind … ‘RRR’ has to win, pride of every Indian, and must put me on the top of the world.”
The hit song became a popular breakout number as “RRR” mania swept the globe last year, translated as “Naacho Naacho” in Hindi, “Naattu Koothu” in Tamil, “Halli Naatu” in Kannada and “Karinthol” in Malayalam.
Recorded by Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava, “Naatu Naatu” beat out songs from four English-language films to score the trophy: “Lift Me Up” from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” sung by pop icon Rihanna; “This Is a Life” from “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” performed by Mitski; “Applause” from “Tell It Like a Woman,” penned by Diane Warren and sung by Sofia Carson; and Lady Gaga’s soaring “Top Gun: Maverick” ballad, “Hold My Hand.”
Sipligunj and Bhairava made their Oscars debut Sunday performing the song at the 95th Academy Awards, accompanied by a cadre of dancers, with director Rajamouli, stars Jr NTR and Charan, Keeravani and Chandrabose in the audience.
The grueling dance scene, choreographed by Prem Rakshith, runs over four continuous minutes and has over half a billion views on YouTube in various languages.
