‘Naatu Naatu’ From ‘RRR’ Becomes First Tollywood Oscar Winner
variety.comChris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic “Naatu Naatu” became the first song from a Tollywood film to win best original song at the Oscars, hoofing its way past superstars like Lady Gaga and Rihanna in India’s version of a Cinderella story.
The win went to veteran composer M.M. Keeravani, who co-wrote all the songs for the film as well as its score, and lyricist Chandrabose.
Their triumph followed a highly energized song-and-dance performance of “Naatu Naatu” that was, by acclamation, one of the highlights of this year’s telecast.
Keeravani delighted the audience by giving much of his acceptance speech to the tune of a Carpenters classic. “I grew up listening to the Carpenters and now here I am with the Oscars,” he began, and then began singing the melody of the ’70s pop smash”Top of the World”: ” ‘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.” “Naatu Naatu” had already been highly favored for a win, having been seen as a front-runner even before it picked up the Golden Globe for best song in January.
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