After an unmemorable speech at the Golden Globes earlier this year, composer MM Keeravani made sure to leave a mark at Monday’s Oscars, where he won the award for Best Original Song. Keeravani’s “Naatu Naatu,” from the period action film RRR, completed a successful awards season run that began after the film became a surprise word-of-mouth sensation in the United States.
As he took to the stage after RRR was announced as the winner by presenters Janelle Monae and Kate Hudson, Keeravani said that he grew up listening to The Carpenters. With lyricist Chandrabose standing next to him, Keeravani broke into an version of The Carpenters’ “Top of the World,” in which he paid tribute to director SS Rajamouli and India. “There was only one wish on my mind, so was Rajamouli’s and my family’s, RRR has to win, pride of every Indian and must put me on top of the world,” he sang, as the crowd reacted with cheers and laughter.
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Deepika Padukone, who introduced a live performance of “Naatu Naatu” earlier in the evening, looked on emotionally. Fellow Best Original Song nominee Lady Gaga, who also performed live during the Oscars, looked on gleefully as Keeravani sang, as did Marvel star Elizabeth Olsen. When Keeravani was done, the camera cut to the legendary John Williams, who was seen applauding heartily. “Naatu Naatu” edged out songs from Diane Warren, Gaga, Rihanna, and Son Lux, Mitski and David Byrne for the Oscar.
Reacting to the victory, RRR star Jr NTR said in a statement, “I cannot find the words to express my elation right now. This is not just a win for RRR but for India as a country. I believe this is just the beginning. Showing us how far Indian cinema can go. Congratulations to Keeravaani garu and Chandrabose garu. Of course none of this would have been possible without a master storyteller called Rajamouli and the audiences who showered us with all the love. I would also like to congratulate the team of The Elephant Whisperers on their win today bringing another Oscar to India.”
It was a big night overall for India at the Oscars. Besides RRR, The Elephant Whisperers won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short. Shaunak Sen’s All that Breathes was also nominated, in the Best Documentary Feature category, but it lost out to Navalny.
