National

DNA Exclusive: Significance Of ‘Naatu Naatu’, ‘Elephant Whisperers’ Oscar Win for India

March 14, 2023
Bharat Times English News

New Delhi: The irreverent, peppy number ‘Naatu Naatu’ from ace filmmaker SS Rajamouli’s blockbuster film ‘RRR’ and documentary short film ‘The Elephant Whispers’ on Monday created Oscar history for India with an Academy Award each. His win not only showcased Indian cinema beyond Bollywood but also the growing strength of India’s non-feature segment. The presence of Indian cinema on the world stage with two such diverse subjects – one mass entertainment and the other a documentary with an emotional message – made every Indian beam with elation and pride.

It was also the first time that two India-made productions won cinema’s biggest award. Dancers recreated the hugely popular hook steps from the four-minute Telugu track at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles as actor Deepika Padukone grooved to the hugely popular number amid thunderous applause.

While many predicted an Oscar for ‘Naatu Naatu’ winning in the Best Original Song category, ‘The Elephant Whispers’ – winning the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject – was a historic moment and a great gift for Indian cinema. Was.



While the performance of ‘Naru Naatu’ at the Academy Awards ceremony received a standing ovation, it was a moment to cheer for two Indian women – Guneet Monga and director Kartiki Gonsalves – who made the impossible possible. “The Elephant Whispers” by Kartiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga, which explores the bond between humans and an abandoned elephant calf in a Tamil Nadu sanctuary, is India’s first win in the documentary short category. “Smile Pinky” and “Period. End of Sentence”, both set in India, also won in the same category, but were foreign productions.



However, it was not just one night for India. The 95th Academy Awards will also be remembered for recognizing Asian talent with ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ winning Best Film, Best Director for Daniel Shenart and Best Actress for Danielle Quan, Malaysia’s Michelle Yeoh and Vietnamese American Seven wins including Best Supporting Actor for the film. Ke Hui Quan. Shaunak Sen’s climate change documentary ‘All That Breathes’, set in Delhi, lost to Canada’s ‘Navalny’ on Russian dissident leader Alexei Navalny in the documentary feature category.

Composed by MM Keeravani and penned by Chandrabose in SS Rajamouli’s blockbuster film, ‘Naatu Naatu’ win is the fourth non-English song to win an Oscar in this category and the first in a foreign language after ‘Jai Ho’. 2009 to win the award.

‘Naatu Naatu’ has the same peppy chorus as the foot-tapping number ‘Jai Ho’ by AR Rahman and Gulzar from the British film “Slumdog Millionaire”. The Original Song trophy was presented to Keeravani and Chandrabose by “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” co-stars Janelle Monae and Kate Hudson. ‘Natu Natu’ competes with ‘Applause’ (sung by Sophia Carson) from ‘Tell It Like a Woman’, ‘Hold My Hand’ (Lady Gaga) from ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, ‘Lift Me Up’ (Rihanna) Was from “Everything Everywhere All at Once” from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and “This Is a Life” (Son Lux, Mitski, David Byrne)

An overwhelmed Keeravani breaks into song to describe her feeling. “I grew up listening to The Carpenters and now I am with the Oscars. I had only one wish in my mind, Rajamouli and our families too – ‘RRR’ has to win, the pride of every Indian I should put on it. ” The Top of the World,” said Keeravani to the tune of The Carpenters’ iconic 1970s song “Top of the World”. Chandrabose ended by saying “namaste”.

Producer Guneet Monga and director Kartiki Gonsalves’ Netflix project ‘The Elephant Whispers’ deals with the theme of the care of abandoned elephants by a couple, Boman and Bailey, in Tamil Nadu’s Madumalai National Park. Monga, who grew up in Delhi and is the founder of Sikh Entertainment, has produced notable films like Gangs of Wasseypur, Peddlers, The Lunchbox, Masaan, Zubaan and Paglet.

Gonsalves dedicated his victory to ‘Motherland India’. Its creator Monga did not speak, but struck a jubilant pose, lifting the iconic golden statue high in the air. “…to all the ladies watching”. The future is audacious and the future is here. Let’s go! Jai Hind,” Monga wrote in an Instagram post moments later.

This is the third major international recognition for a Telugu song after winning the Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Awards. “RRR” (Rise Roar Revolt), a pre-independence fictional story, follows two real-life Indian revolutionaries – Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan) and Komaram Bheem (Junior NTR) in the 1920s. It was released in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi and Malayalam. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and a host of showbiz celebs including Rajinikanth and Shah Rukh Khan hailed the twin Oscar wins.

In tonight’s episode of DNA, Zee News anchor Rohit Ranjan analyzes the significance of the two Oscar wins for Indian cinema and delves deep into the endless possibilities it opens for Indian filmmakers.

Watch DNA tonight for detailed analysis.