"Naatu Naatu" Dances Its Way To An Oscar Nomination

RRR Bags Historic Academy Awards Nomination

The Maverick SS Rajamouli directorial magnum opus RRR has been the talk of the town in international film communities. Legendary directors like Steven Spielberg and James Cameron gushed over the movie when they met the director at award ceremonies. The movie ‘RRR’ introduced Indian cinema to western audiences with a rising roar. 

It has won various accolades, including historic wins at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards. The movie’s lead actors, Ram Charan and Jr NTR, were showered with praise for their seamless acting and powerful performances. The Young Tiger even etched his place on the top of the list of ‘Top 10 Oscar Worthy Performances’ released by prominent US daily, USA Today. 

Fans were disappointed when the Film Federation of India submitted the ‘Chhello (The Last Film) Show’ as India’s official submission to the Academy. Many believed that RRR stood the best chance at bringing home the prestigious award and wanted it to be the submission. The team, however, did not let it stop their efforts and tirelessly campaigned for the movie. Their campaign for a nomination and their work has paid off, with the movie bagging nominations at the Academy Awards.  

RRR's music team - MM Keeravani and Chandrabose made India and the Telugu audience proud bagging the nomination for the ’Best Original Song’ category for the dance number  “Naatu Naatu”. It will go up against the likes of  “Applause,” “Hold My Hand,” “Lift Me Up,” and “This Is A Life.”

Along with 'RRR' Indian documentary films ‘All That Breathes’ and ‘The Elephant Whisperers’  are also nominated in ‘Best Documentary Feature Film’ and ‘Best Documentary Short Film’ categories, respectively. In all India is nominated in three categories, perhaps the highest in the history of Academy Awards.

The 95th Academy Awards ceremony will honour films released in 2022 and is scheduled to take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California, on March 12, 2023. Hosted by Late Night Show host Jimmy Kimmel, viewers from India will be able to catch the live stream on 13 March 2023 at 5:30 am IST.