Lights, cameras, Oscars! The 95th Academy Awards ceremony was a night of glitz, glamour and nail-biting excitement as the world’s biggest film stars came together to honour the best movies of the year. As the world’s eyes were trained on the 95th Academy Awards, the anticipation in India was palpable. With three nominations across various categories, the nation was holding its breath for a historic Oscar win.
The stunning, Deepika Padukone illuminated the stage of the 2023 Oscars, as she unveiled the mesmerizing performance of ‘RRR’s “Naatu Naatu” song. Bedecked in an alluring black ensemble, the ethereal actress exuded a breathtaking blend of beauty and grace. Her announcement was met with thunderous applause, and the ensuing performance garnered a standing ovation.
Watch Deepika Padukone Announce:
Standing Ovation for the live performance of “Naatu Naatu”
The visionary behind the epic blockbuster ‘RRR’, SS Rajamouli, had expressed his thoughts on the prospect of winning. He acknowledged that a victory would undoubtedly lift the spirits of the film’s crew and the nation, yet he maintained that it wouldn’t sway his artistic approach. And then, destiny took a remarkable turn, as the ‘RRR’ anthem “Naatu Naatu” clinched the prestigious award for Best Original Song, etching a remarkable chapter in the illustrious history of Indian cinema. The movie had already taken the digital world by storm, and this triumph reinforced its status as a cinematic masterpiece.
“Naatu Naatu” – This tune had already garnered significant acclaim, having bagged the Golden Globe Award and the Critics Choice Award earlier in the year. And now, the Oscar was added to its glittering collection of accolades, a resounding testament to the remarkable skills and toil of the cast and crew behind the film.
The race for the Best Original Song category was no walk in the park, as “Naatu Naatu” was up against some of the most celebrated names in the entertainment world. Heavyweights like ‘Applause’ from ‘Tell It Like A Woman,’ ‘Hold My Hand’ from ‘Top Gun: Maverick,’ ‘Lift me Up’ from ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,’ and ‘This Is Life’ from ‘Everything, Everywhere All At Once’ were among the formidable opponents. But in the end, ‘Naatu Naatu’ emerged triumphant, triggering a wave of jubilation across the Indian film industry, and filling every heart with pride.
It was a defining moment in the annals of Indian cinema, as MM Keeravani and Chandrabose’s musical masterpiece “Naatu Naatu” from SS Rajamouli’s ‘RRR’ bagged the trophy in the name of India, making it the first Indian and Asian song to achieve this milestone. This extraordinary accomplishment has firmly re-established Indian music on the global stage, reminiscent of AR Rahman’s double win for the same category and Best Original Score for ‘Jai Ho’ from ‘Slumdog Millionaire’.
Watch the winning speech here!
But RRR was not the only Indian film to make a mark on the world stage. It was a night to remember for Indian cinema as “The Elephant Whisperers” bagged the coveted Oscar for Best Documentary Short. Directed by Kartiki Gonsalves and produced by Guneet Monga’s Sikhya Entertainment Production, the documentary tells the heartwarming story of the bond between two caretakers and their two orphaned elephant calves in the Mudumalai National Park in Tamil Nadu. The film highlights the importance of conservation and the need to protect elephants and the natural world.
Shaunak Sen’s “All That Breathes” stood tall as a testament to the burgeoning global recognition of Indian cinema and its distinctive style of storytelling, as it made its way into the nominees for the Best Documentary Feature at the Oscars. While it might not have clinched the award, its inclusion among the cream of the crop was a nod to the incredible strides made by Indian cinema in the international arena.
The Oscars 2023 proved to be a great year for Indian cinema as the nation’s talent and hard work were recognized and celebrated on a global platform. The wins have brought immense pride and joy to the Indian film industry, and fans eagerly look forward to seeing more Indian films and documentaries receiving such recognition in the future.
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