India is celebrating a major victory at the 95th Academy Awards, with the blockbuster track “Naatu Naatu” taking home the Best Original Song award. The song, which won a Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice award earlier this year, has captivated audiences around the world with its catchy tempo and choreography.
Composer MM Keeravani accepted the Oscar, stating that the song was “the pride of every Indian”. He sang the rest of his speech in the tune of The Carpenters’ hit song “Top Of The World,” which drew laughter and applause from the audience. The official Twitter handle of the movie RRR called the win a “surreal moment” and dedicated it to “all our amazing fans across the world.”
The Elephant Whisperers also brought home a win for India in the Best Documentary Short Film category. The documentary tells the heartwarming story of a couple who care for an injured baby elephant after it gets separated from its herd. It is the first Indian production to win in this category and was shot in the picturesque Nilgiri mountains in southern India.
Kaala Bhairava, one of the singers of “Naatu Naatu,” called the song award-worthy because it was “rooted to its nativity.” He and co-singer Rahul Sipligunj performed the song at the ceremony, receiving a standing ovation from the audience.
The wins at the Oscars highlight the diverse and vibrant cultural landscape of India and showcase the talent and creativity of its artists. As Bhairava noted, “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.”
Overall, India’s big wins at the 95th Academy Awards are a testament to the country’s growing presence on the global stage and its rich artistic traditions.
