“Naatu Naatu” Dances into the Oscars
In a tribute to "Naatu Naatu," the international viral hit nominated for best original song from the Telugu-language film RRR, dance will be energetically represented at the 2023 Academy Awards. “Naatu Naatu,” the first Indian film song to be nominated for an Oscar, features spectacularly synced onscreen dancing by stars Ram Charan and N. T. Rama Rao Jr. (Jr. NTR).
Ankush Pandey
"Naatu Naatu" is essentially a dance-off between the two revolutionaries—and the colonial establishment—in the pre-independence India of "RRR," which stands for "Rise Roar Revolt." Prem Rakshith created the scene's high-energy choreography, which was shot at the Presidential Palace in Kiev, Ukraine. The sync was more difficult than the steps themselves, Jr. NTR told Entertainment Tonight. Each person dances in a different way, but [director S. S. Rajamouli] thought it was so important that in the movie, when two friends are aligned, they don't need to look at each other because they know they are one.
Rakshith was tasked by Rajamouli with creating steps that were not only simple but also memorable: He told Vanity Fair that "it should be nice, it shouldn't be too difficult, it should suit the style of both actors—and it should be fantastic." He also told Rakshith that "it should be nice, it shouldn't be too difficult, it should suit the style of both actors—and it should be fantastic."
Because they have been working on other projects, the film's stars will not perform at the awards ceremony. According to Jr. NTR's statement to KTLA, "the moment I watched that clip, my legs started aching all over again," so "I think it will be nice for me to sit down in the audience and watch the song."
Instead, the tribute to the Academy Awards will feature dancers from Los Angeles, such as Lauren Gottlieb, a So You Think You Can Dance and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa alum who has worked in the Indian film industry and starred in ABCD: Dance is for everyone.
The Golden Globe and Critics' Choice awards for best song went to "Naatu Naatu." "Naatu Naatu," sung by Kaala Bhairava and Rahul Sipligunj, competes with "Hold My Hand," sung by Sofia Carson, from Top Gun: Tell It Like a Woman, and "Applause." Maverick, which Lady Gaga performed), and "Lift Me Up" (Black Panther: Rihanna's Wakanda Forever) and "This Is A Life" (Ryan Lott, David Byrne, and Mitski's Everything Everywhere All At Once).
NAATU NAATU OSCARS PREM RAKSHITH RAM CHARAN RRR SS RAJAMOULI THE OSCARS TOLLYWOOD ACADEMY AWARDS JR NTR LAUREN GOTTLIEB
