“Naatu Naatu” recently won India’s first-ever Oscar for Best Original Song at the 95th Academy Awards.
The hit song, composed by M. M. Keeravani with lyrics written by Chandrabose, is part of the soundtrack of S. S. Rajamouli’s Indian Telugu-language film “RRR.”
“I grew up listening to the Carpenters and now here I am with the Oscars,” the legendary composer said before singing, “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 official “RRR” Twitter account celebrated the historic victory in a tweet on Sunday.
“We’re blessed that #RRRMovie is the first feature film to bring INDIA’s first ever #Oscar in the Best Song Category with #NaatuNaatu! No words can describe this surreal moment. Dedicating this to all our amazing fans across the world. THANK YOU!!”
“RRR,” which stands for “Rise, Roar, Revolt,” follows the journeys of two friends-turned-enemies in India’s struggle for independence. The movie was released in the United States in March 2022.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter on Sunday, Kaala Bhairava, one of the song’s singers, believes that one of the main reasons why “Naatu Naatu” is award-worthy is because it is “rooted to its nativity.”
“That’s the most beautiful part of the Oscars – people from all over the world coming together, representing their own culture and their own art forms and being appreciated by people from other countries and communities,” the singer said.