“Naatu Naatu” won Best Original Song at the 2023 Oscars, and musician MM Keeravaani sang onstage while collecting his award.
Keeravaani told the audience at the Dolby Theater on Sunday that he “grew up listening to the Carpenters and now here I am at the Oscars.”
He then began to sing, singing some of the duo’s 1970s hit, “Top of the World.”
“There was only one wish on my mind,” he sang. “RRR you have to win…. And he must put me on top of the world.
Keeravaani shared the victory with Chandrabose, who ended the acceptance speech with: “Namaste”.
Indian Telugu song “Naatu Naatu” is from an action drama. RRR and it became the first song from an Indian production to be nominated for an Oscar. Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava gave an upbeat rendition of the song earlier in the evening. Several background dancers were energetic on stage, displaying intense choreography and killer footwork to applause from the audience. The male dancers wore suspenders as accessories while the female dancers twirled in glittering dresses.
“Naatu Naatu” also won honors at the Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards.
The song beat out heavyweight competition nominees, including Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which he co-wrote with Tems, Ryan Coogler, and Ludwig Göransson; “Applause” by Diane Warren of say it like a woman, marking the 14th nomination for the iconic composer; “Hold My Hand” by Lady Gaga from Top Gun: Maverick; and “This Is a Life” by David Byrne from Everything everywhere at once.
See the star-studded Oscars red carpet arrivals.
