News Analysis India

Tag: RRR

  • ‘RRR’ team, Karan Johar, Mani Ratnam among new members invited by Oscars to join the Academy

    By PTI

    LOS ANGELES: The “RRR” team, including actors Ram Charan, Jr NTR and composer MM Keeravani, as well as filmmakers Mani Ratnam and Karan Johar are among the 398 artists and executives who have received invitations to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).

    “RRR” lyricist Chandrabose, who along with Keeravani won the Oscar for best original song for the film’s blockbuster track “Naatu Naatu” in March, has also received an invitation.

    Two other invitees include “RRR” cinematographer KK Senthil Kumar and production designer Sabu Cyril, a press release stated.

    Indian names feature heavily in the Academy’s class of 2023 including Shaunak Sen, the director of the Oscar-nominated documentary, Siddharth Roy Kapur, the producer of India’s official Oscar entry “Chhello Show”, and Chaitanya Tamhane, known for critically acclaimed Marathi titles “The Disciple” and “Court” in the list.

    It also includes Girish Balakrishnan and Kranti Sarma from the field of production and technology; visual effects artists Haresh Hingorani and PC Sanath; film executive Shivani Rawat and Shivani Pandya Malhotra, the managing director of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival.

    According to the AMPAS, the class of 2023 includes 40 per cent women and 34 per cent from underrepresented ethnic/racial communities.

    52 per cent of the invitees are from 50 countries and territories outside the US.

    76 Oscar nominees, including 22 winners, are among the invitees.

    In a statement, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said the organization is proud to welcome the “artists and professionals into our membership”.

    “They represent extraordinary global talent across cinematic disciplines and have made a vital impact on the arts and sciences of motion pictures and on movie fans worldwide,” they added.

    The Academy has been actively working to introduce more diversity in its voting to avoid a controversy like 2016 when the Oscars were dubbed “white” for failing to recognize talents of color.

    The 2023 batch boasts of major Hollywood names including Academy Award-winning actor Ke Huy Quan, Austin Butler, Kerry Condon, Bill Hader, Nicholas Hoult, Stephanie Hsu, Lashana Lynch, Paul Mescal, Park Hae-il, filmmaking duo The Daniels (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert) and musicians Taylor Swift, Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye and David Byrne.

    In 2022, the organization invited 397 new members, which included Indian names such as actors Kajol, Suriya, filmmakers Reema Kagti, Sushmit Ghosh, Rintu Thomas, and Pan Nalin.

    LOS ANGELES: The “RRR” team, including actors Ram Charan, Jr NTR and composer MM Keeravani, as well as filmmakers Mani Ratnam and Karan Johar are among the 398 artists and executives who have received invitations to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).

    “RRR” lyricist Chandrabose, who along with Keeravani won the Oscar for best original song for the film’s blockbuster track “Naatu Naatu” in March, has also received an invitation.

    Two other invitees include “RRR” cinematographer KK Senthil Kumar and production designer Sabu Cyril, a press release stated.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Indian names feature heavily in the Academy’s class of 2023 including Shaunak Sen, the director of the Oscar-nominated documentary, Siddharth Roy Kapur, the producer of India’s official Oscar entry “Chhello Show”, and Chaitanya Tamhane, known for critically acclaimed Marathi titles “The Disciple” and “Court” in the list.

    It also includes Girish Balakrishnan and Kranti Sarma from the field of production and technology; visual effects artists Haresh Hingorani and PC Sanath; film executive Shivani Rawat and Shivani Pandya Malhotra, the managing director of Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival.

    According to the AMPAS, the class of 2023 includes 40 per cent women and 34 per cent from underrepresented ethnic/racial communities.

    52 per cent of the invitees are from 50 countries and territories outside the US.

    76 Oscar nominees, including 22 winners, are among the invitees.

    In a statement, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said the organization is proud to welcome the “artists and professionals into our membership”.

    “They represent extraordinary global talent across cinematic disciplines and have made a vital impact on the arts and sciences of motion pictures and on movie fans worldwide,” they added.

    The Academy has been actively working to introduce more diversity in its voting to avoid a controversy like 2016 when the Oscars were dubbed “white” for failing to recognize talents of color.

    The 2023 batch boasts of major Hollywood names including Academy Award-winning actor Ke Huy Quan, Austin Butler, Kerry Condon, Bill Hader, Nicholas Hoult, Stephanie Hsu, Lashana Lynch, Paul Mescal, Park Hae-il, filmmaking duo The Daniels (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert) and musicians Taylor Swift, Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye and David Byrne.

    In 2022, the organization invited 397 new members, which included Indian names such as actors Kajol, Suriya, filmmakers Reema Kagti, Sushmit Ghosh, Rintu Thomas, and Pan Nalin.

  • RRR’s British governor Ray Stevenson dies at 58

    By Associated Press

    Ray Stevenson, who played the villainous British governor in “RRR,” an Asgardian warrior in the “Thor” films, and a member of the 13th Legion in HBO’s “Rome,” has died. He was 58.Representatives for Stevenson said that he died on Sunday but had no other details to share on Monday.Stevenson was born in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, in 1964. After attending the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and years of working in British television, he made his film debut in Paul Greengrass’s 1998 film “The Theory of Flight.” In 2004, he appeared in Antoine Fuqua’s “King Arthur” as a knight of the round table and several years later played the lead in the pre-Disney Marvel adaptation “Punisher: War Zone.”Though “Punisher” was not the best-reviewed film, he’d get another taste of Marvel in the first three “Thor” films, in which he played Volstagg. Other prominent film roles included the “Divergent” trilogy, “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” and “The Transporter: Refueled.”A looming presence at 6-foot-4, Stevenson, who played his share of soldiers past and present, once said in an interview, “I guess I’m an old warrior at heart.”On the small screen, he was the roguish Titus Pullo in “Rome,” a role that really got his career going in the United States and got him a SAG card, at the age of 44. The popular series ran from 2005 to 2007.

    Ray Stevenson

    “That was one of the major years of my life,” Stevenson said in an interview. “It made me sit down in my own skin and say, just do the job. The job’s enough.”In the Variety review of “Rome,” Brian Lowery wrote that “the imposing Stevenson certainly stands out as a brawling, whoring and none-too-bright warrior — a force of nature who, despite his excesses, somehow keeps landing on his feet.”He was Blackbeard in the Starz series “Black Sails,” Commander Jack Swinburne in the German television series “Das Boot,” and Othere on “Vikings.”Stevenson also did voice work in “Star Wars Rebels” and “The Clone Wars,” as Gar Saxon, and has a role in the upcoming Star Wars live-action series “Ahsoka,” in which he plays a bad guy, Baylan Skoll. The eight-episode season is expected on Disney+ in August.In an interview with Backstage in 2020, Stevenson said his acting idols were, “The likes of Lee Marvin (and) Gene Hackman.”“Never a bad performance, and brave and fearless within that caliber,” Stevenson said. “It was never the young, hot leading man; it was men who I could identify with.”Stevenson has three sons with Italian anthropologist Elisabetta Caraccia, who he met while working on “Rome.”

    Ray Stevenson, who played the villainous British governor in “RRR,” an Asgardian warrior in the “Thor” films, and a member of the 13th Legion in HBO’s “Rome,” has died. He was 58.
    Representatives for Stevenson said that he died on Sunday but had no other details to share on Monday.
    Stevenson was born in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, in 1964. After attending the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and years of working in British television, he made his film debut in Paul Greengrass’s 1998 film “The Theory of Flight.” In 2004, he appeared in Antoine Fuqua’s “King Arthur” as a knight of the round table and several years later played the lead in the pre-Disney Marvel adaptation “Punisher: War Zone.”
    Though “Punisher” was not the best-reviewed film, he’d get another taste of Marvel in the first three “Thor” films, in which he played Volstagg. Other prominent film roles included the “Divergent” trilogy, “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” and “The Transporter: Refueled.”
    A looming presence at 6-foot-4, Stevenson, who played his share of soldiers past and present, once said in an interview, “I guess I’m an old warrior at heart.”
    On the small screen, he was the roguish Titus Pullo in “Rome,” a role that really got his career going in the United States and got him a SAG card, at the age of 44. The popular series ran from 2005 to 2007.

    Ray Stevenson

    “That was one of the major years of my life,” Stevenson said in an interview. “It made me sit down in my own skin and say, just do the job. The job’s enough.”
    In the Variety review of “Rome,” Brian Lowery wrote that “the imposing Stevenson certainly stands out as a brawling, whoring and none-too-bright warrior — a force of nature who, despite his excesses, somehow keeps landing on his feet.”
    He was Blackbeard in the Starz series “Black Sails,” Commander Jack Swinburne in the German television series “Das Boot,” and Othere on “Vikings.”
    Stevenson also did voice work in “Star Wars Rebels” and “The Clone Wars,” as Gar Saxon, and has a role in the upcoming Star Wars live-action series “Ahsoka,” in which he plays a bad guy, Baylan Skoll. The eight-episode season is expected on Disney+ in August.
    In an interview with Backstage in 2020, Stevenson said his acting idols were, “The likes of Lee Marvin (and) Gene Hackman.”
    “Never a bad performance, and brave and fearless within that caliber,” Stevenson said. “It was never the young, hot leading man; it was men who I could identify with.”
    Stevenson has three sons with Italian anthropologist Elisabetta Caraccia, who he met while working on “Rome.”

  • Oscars 2023: Top leaders, celebrities congratulate team ‘RRR’, ‘The Elephant Whisperers’

    By Agencies

    PM congratulates teams behind ‘RRR’, ‘The Elephant Whisperers’

    PM Narendra Modi on Monday said India is proud and elated with “Naatu Naatu” winning an Oscar, and hailed the song as one that will be remembered for years to come.

    He also congratulated the entire team of Tamil documentary “The Elephant Whisperers” after it created history at the 95th Academy Awards by becoming the maiden Indian production to win in the Documentary Short Subject category.

    Reacting to the peppy, foot-tapping chartbuster from SS Rajamouli’s Telugu period action film “RRR” winning the Academy Award in the Best Original Song category, Modi tweeted, “Exceptional! The popularity of ‘Naatu Naatu’ is global.

    It will be a song that will be remembered for years to come.

    Exceptional!The popularity of ‘Naatu Naatu’ is global. It will be a song that will be remembered for years to come. Congratulations to @mmkeeravaani, @boselyricist and the entire team for this prestigious honour.India is elated and proud. #Oscars https://t.co/cANG5wHROt
    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 13, 2023
    “Congratulations to MM Keeravaani, Chandrabose and the entire team for this prestigious honour. India is elated and proud,” he said.

    In another tweet, Modi also congratulated director Kartiki Gonsalves, producer Guneet Monga and the entire team of “The Elephant Whisperers” for winning the Oscars.

    “Their work wonderfully highlights the importance of sustainable development and living in harmony with nature,” the prime minister said.

    AP CM, TDP chief Naidu congratulate ‘Naatu Naatu’ team

    Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday congratulated music director M M Keeravani and team for bagging an Oscar for the song ‘Naatu Naatu’ in the Music (Original Song) category.

    According to the Chief Minister, the song had amplified notations in a variety of genres, including pace, effect, beat and depth, showcasing the Telugu prowess at an international scale, creating history.

    He conveyed his wishes to the entire unit of the film – ‘RRR’-, directed by SS Rajamouli, for striking the ‘Oscar chord with music to the ears of the global audience.

    ‘ Reddy said the Academy award is the icing on the cake for the Indian cinema which recently celebrated its centenary.

    The #Telugu flag is flying higher!I’m filled with pride on a Telugu song, that so beautifully celebrates our folk heritage, being given its due recognition internationally today. @ssrajamouli, @tarak9999, @AlwaysRamCharan and @mmkeeravaani have truly redefined excellence! 1/2 https://t.co/jp75mpiZHv
    — YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (@ysjagan) March 13, 2023
    Similarly, N Chandrababu Naidu, former chief minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supremo noted that ‘Naatu Naatu’ has sealed its place in history by winning the award for best original song at the 95th Oscar awards.

    “This is probably the finest moment for Indian cinema and Telugus achieving it is even more special,” said Naidu congratulating Rajamouli, Keeravani, Jr NTR, Ram Charan, Chandrabose, Sipligunj, Kala Bhairava and choreographer Prem Rakshit.

    Former VP Venkaiah Naidu, film personalities congratulate ‘RRR’ team on Oscar recognition for ‘Naatu, Naatu’

    Former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, superstar Chiranjeevi and several other Telugu film personalities and political leaders expressed joy and pride over ‘Naatu, Naatu’ song from SS Rajamouli’s period action film ‘RRR’ winning an Oscar award.

    “Congratulations to composer Keeravani garu, lyricist Chandra Bose, ace director Rajamouli garu, & the crew of #RRR movie for making history by winning the prestigious #Oscar Award for the Best Original Song for the popular number, #NaatuNaatu,” Venkaiah Naidu tweeted.

    Soundararajan also took to Twitter to congratulate the ‘RRR’ team.

    ‘Naatu Naatu’ has sealed its place in history by winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the #Oscars. This is probably the finest moment for Indian Cinema and Telugus achieving it is even more special.(1/2) pic.twitter.com/BAKVLsPVxf
    — N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) March 13, 2023
    “Congratulations @RRRMovie team You made INDIAN’S& telugu film industry Proud by #Oscar,” she said.

    Chiranjeevi complemented ‘RRR’ director SS Rajamouli, music director MM Keeravani, lyricist Chandrabose and others who were involved in making the song.

    “NaatuNaatu ON TOP OF THE WORLD !!! And THE OSCAR for the Best Original Song Goes To : Take a Bow @mmkeeravaani garu & @boselyricist kaalabhairava7Rahulsipligunj #PremRakshith @tarak9999 @AlwaysRamCharan And the One & Only @ssrajamouli,” he tweeted.

    Chiranjeevi’s son Ram Charan is one of the heroes in ‘RRR’.

    Actor-turned-politician and Jana Sena Party founder Pawan Kalyan said the award has made Indians proud.

    The Oscar award and other international recognition to ‘RRR’ would inspire Indian directors, actors and writers, he said.

    State BJP president and MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar and state Congress chief A Revanth Reddy also congratulated the ‘RRR’ team.

    Indian celebs hail Oscar wins for ‘RRR’, ‘The Elephant Whisperers’

    “Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh,” Alia, who played a pivotal role in ‘RRR’, reacted to the winning news.  In another post, she congratulated The Elephant Whisperers and its producer Guneet Monga.

    “ufff what a visual! Historic.Congratulations @guneetmonga and the whole team,” she wrote.

    Priyanka Chopra took to Instagram Story and applauded the RRR team.

    Sharing the winning moment, she wrote, “Yesss team.” She also added Indian Flag emoji to the caption.

    “Yay…another win,” actress Mini Mathur wrote on Instagram Story.

    ‘Naatu Naatu’ won the award trumping big names like Rihanna and Lady Gaga. Composer MM Keeravani and lyricist Chandrabose accepted the award on behalf of the team. Singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava and composer along with director SS Rajamouli and lead actors Jr NTR and Ram Charan are all present at the big event.

    Hrithik Roshan and Ajay Devgn, took to social media to celebrate the double Oscar win for India for the Telugu blockbuster “RRR” and Tamil documentary short “The Elephant Whisperers”.

    Filmmaker Karan Johar called the Oscar win of “RRR” “historic”.

    “Historic!!!! OMG!!!!!!! I was jumping on my bed !!!!! So so so proud! @m.m.keeravani sir @ssrajamouli sir @jrntr @alwaysramcharan” he wrote on Instagram Stories.

    The director said he is proud of the team of The Elephant Whisperers for creating history at the Academy Awards.

    “Guneet!!!! @guneetmonga you did it!!!!! So so so proud of you!!!! You created history! Broke the glass ceiling and more than anything else paved the way applause, Respect and many a salute to you” he posted.

    Ajay Devgn, who also made a guest appearance in “RRR”, called the two trophies for Indian films a “proud moment”.

    “As it is often said, cinema speaks a universal language. Congratulations to the teams of #RRR and #TheElephantWhisperers for their #Oscar wins. It’s a proud moment,” he tweeted.

    Hrithik wrote, “Such a historic, proud & happy moment for Indian Cinema at #Oscars95 ! Many congratulations to the team of Best Documentary Short Film #TheElephantWhisperers & Team RRR for Best Original Song #NaatuNaatu !! More power to you all.

    ” “Wonderful!!! Congratulations to all of you #ElephantWhisperers” tweeted actor Kangana Ranaut.

    The actor also praised “RRR” for making India proud.

    “Congratulations to entire India, RRR, a movie about suppression, torture, killing, colonisation of Indians based on racial grounds gets appreciated on a world platform, number of Indians died just during one Bengal famine were way more than Jews died during holocaust. Thank team RRR” she added.

    Singer Anup Jalota said the song has become famous world over.

    Congratulations to MM Kreem, the director and the team for beautifully picturising the song, he added.

    Sound designer Resul Pookutty, who won an Oscar for Best Sound Mixing for 2008 movie “Slumdog Millionaire”, also congratulated the teams of “RRR” and “The Elephant Whisperers”.

    “This is a huge win congratulations to @mmkeeravaani and the team of #RRR” he said.

    “Huge huge congratulations to @guneetm and the team of #elephantwhispers for their #Oscar win @TheAcademy You all created history. Guneet #IToldYouSo” he added.

    Samantha Ruth Prabhu wrote on Instagram, “What an incredible moment. It’s an Oscar baby”

    Actor Rana Daggubati shared a video of the moment MM Keeravani and lyricist Chandrabose won the Oscar and wrote, “The roar of #RRR” “RRR” (Rise Roar Revolt), a pre-independence fictional story, follows two real-life Indian revolutionaries Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan) and Komaram Bheem (Jr NTR) in the 1920s.

    From the moment “Naatu Naatu” won the best original song award at 95th Oscars, social media is abuzz with countless posts about “RRR” and videos from the award ceremony.

    ALSO READ | ‘Naatu Naatu’ performance receives standing ovation at Oscars 2023

    Many shared the clips of the electrifying performance of the Telugu track “Naatu Naatu” by singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava from the ceremony, held at the Dolby Theatre and livestreamed on streaming platform Disney+ Hotstar in India.

    Others shared various videos of the team of “RRR”, including filmmaker SS Rajamouli, Ram Charan and Jr NTR, erupting with joy after “Naatu Naatu” was announced as the winner for best original song.

    The ceremony’s host Jimmy Kimmel, however, attracted criticism from some fans for calling “RRR” a “Bollywood movie” during his opening monologue.

    “I believe this is just the beginning”: Jr NTR on Oscar win for ‘RRR’

    ‘RRR’ actor Jr NTR said, “I cannot find the words to express my elation right now. This is not just a win for RRR but for India as a country. I believe this is just the beginning. Showing us how far Indian cinema can go. Congratulations to Keeravaani garu and Chandrabose garu. Of course none of this would have been possible without a master storyteller called Rajamouli and the audiences who showered us with all the love. I would also like to congratulate the team of ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ on their win today bringing another Oscar to India.”

    “Still feels like I am living in a dream”: Ram Charan on ‘RRR’ winning Oscar award

    Expressing gratitude and thankfulness, ‘RRR’ lead actor Ram Charan took to his Twitter account and shared a long note which he captioned, “We have won!! We have won as Indian Cinema!! We won as a country!! The Oscar Award is coming home!”

    Charan wrote, ” RRR is and will always remain as the most special film of our lives and of Indian Cinema history. I can’t thank everyone enough for manifesting the Oscar Award. It still feels like I am living in a dream. Thank you all for the unstoppable support and love. SS Rajamouli Garu and MM Keeravani Garu are the most precious gems of our Indian film industry. Thank you both for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this masterpiece.”

    ‘Naatu Naatu’ lyricist Chandrabose’s wife beams with pride, expresses gratitude to Rajamouli

    As Chandrabose bagged the award, his wife Suchitra expressed happiness.

    Speaking to ANI, she said, “I thank SS Rajamouli sir and his wife and Keeravaani Garu for giving Bose an opportunity to write this song.”

    Chandrabose’s daughter Amrutha also beamed with pride as her father’s song Naatu Naatu won Oscar.

    “It’s a surreal feeling. I am super proud of my dad,” she shared.

    Deepika Padukone gives special shoutout to ‘Naatu Naatu’ at Oscars 2023

    The actresses made it to the Academy Awards stage to give a special shoutout to RRR’s power-packed song ‘Naatu Naatu’ which has been nominated in the ‘Orginal Song’ category this year.

    Before Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava earned a standing ovation for their electrifying performance, Deepika announced the performance and even gave a special mention briefing the audience about the song amidst loud cheers.

    She said, “An irresistibly catchy chorus, electrifying beats and killer dance moves to match have made this song a global sensation. It plays during a pivotal scene in ‘RRR’, a movie about the friendship between real-life Indian revolutionaries Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem. In addition to being sung in Telugu and illustrating the film’s anti-colonialist themes, it’s also a total banger!”

    ALSO READ | Oscars 2023: Check out the list of winners; ‘Naatu Naatu’ from ‘RRR’, women create history

    She added, “It’s earned millions of views on Youtube and Tik Tok. Has audiences dancing in movie theatres all around the world and is also the first song ever from Indian production to be nominated for an Oscar. Do you know Naatu? Because if you don’t you’re about to. From the film RRR this is Naatu Naatu.”

    Deepika looked exquisite in an all-black off-shoulder velvet gown. She tied her hair into a bun and kept her make-up normal. She accessorized her look with a yellow diamond drop necklace. 

    PM congratulates teams behind ‘RRR’, ‘The Elephant Whisperers’

    PM Narendra Modi on Monday said India is proud and elated with “Naatu Naatu” winning an Oscar, and hailed the song as one that will be remembered for years to come.

    He also congratulated the entire team of Tamil documentary “The Elephant Whisperers” after it created history at the 95th Academy Awards by becoming the maiden Indian production to win in the Documentary Short Subject category.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Reacting to the peppy, foot-tapping chartbuster from SS Rajamouli’s Telugu period action film “RRR” winning the Academy Award in the Best Original Song category, Modi tweeted, “Exceptional! The popularity of ‘Naatu Naatu’ is global.

    It will be a song that will be remembered for years to come.

    Exceptional!
    The popularity of ‘Naatu Naatu’ is global. It will be a song that will be remembered for years to come. Congratulations to @mmkeeravaani, @boselyricist and the entire team for this prestigious honour.
    India is elated and proud. #Oscars https://t.co/cANG5wHROt
    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 13, 2023
    “Congratulations to MM Keeravaani, Chandrabose and the entire team for this prestigious honour. India is elated and proud,” he said.

    In another tweet, Modi also congratulated director Kartiki Gonsalves, producer Guneet Monga and the entire team of “The Elephant Whisperers” for winning the Oscars.

    “Their work wonderfully highlights the importance of sustainable development and living in harmony with nature,” the prime minister said.

    AP CM, TDP chief Naidu congratulate ‘Naatu Naatu’ team

    Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday congratulated music director M M Keeravani and team for bagging an Oscar for the song ‘Naatu Naatu’ in the Music (Original Song) category.

    According to the Chief Minister, the song had amplified notations in a variety of genres, including pace, effect, beat and depth, showcasing the Telugu prowess at an international scale, creating history.

    He conveyed his wishes to the entire unit of the film – ‘RRR’-, directed by SS Rajamouli, for striking the ‘Oscar chord with music to the ears of the global audience.

    ‘ Reddy said the Academy award is the icing on the cake for the Indian cinema which recently celebrated its centenary.

    The #Telugu flag is flying higher!
    I’m filled with pride on a Telugu song, that so beautifully celebrates our folk heritage, being given its due recognition internationally today. @ssrajamouli, @tarak9999, @AlwaysRamCharan and @mmkeeravaani have truly redefined excellence! 1/2 https://t.co/jp75mpiZHv
    — YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (@ysjagan) March 13, 2023
    Similarly, N Chandrababu Naidu, former chief minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supremo noted that ‘Naatu Naatu’ has sealed its place in history by winning the award for best original song at the 95th Oscar awards.

    “This is probably the finest moment for Indian cinema and Telugus achieving it is even more special,” said Naidu congratulating Rajamouli, Keeravani, Jr NTR, Ram Charan, Chandrabose, Sipligunj, Kala Bhairava and choreographer Prem Rakshit.

    Former VP Venkaiah Naidu, film personalities congratulate ‘RRR’ team on Oscar recognition for ‘Naatu, Naatu’

    Former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, superstar Chiranjeevi and several other Telugu film personalities and political leaders expressed joy and pride over ‘Naatu, Naatu’ song from SS Rajamouli’s period action film ‘RRR’ winning an Oscar award.

    “Congratulations to composer Keeravani garu, lyricist Chandra Bose, ace director Rajamouli garu, & the crew of #RRR movie for making history by winning the prestigious #Oscar Award for the Best Original Song for the popular number, #NaatuNaatu,” Venkaiah Naidu tweeted.

    Soundararajan also took to Twitter to congratulate the ‘RRR’ team.

    ‘Naatu Naatu’ has sealed its place in history by winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the #Oscars. This is probably the finest moment for Indian Cinema and Telugus achieving it is even more special.(1/2) pic.twitter.com/BAKVLsPVxf
    — N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) March 13, 2023
    “Congratulations @RRRMovie team You made INDIAN’S& telugu film industry Proud by #Oscar,” she said.

    Chiranjeevi complemented ‘RRR’ director SS Rajamouli, music director MM Keeravani, lyricist Chandrabose and others who were involved in making the song.

    “NaatuNaatu ON TOP OF THE WORLD !!! And THE OSCAR for the Best Original Song Goes To : Take a Bow @mmkeeravaani garu & @boselyricist kaalabhairava7Rahulsipligunj #PremRakshith @tarak9999 @AlwaysRamCharan And the One & Only @ssrajamouli,” he tweeted.

    Chiranjeevi’s son Ram Charan is one of the heroes in ‘RRR’.

    Actor-turned-politician and Jana Sena Party founder Pawan Kalyan said the award has made Indians proud.

    The Oscar award and other international recognition to ‘RRR’ would inspire Indian directors, actors and writers, he said.

    State BJP president and MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar and state Congress chief A Revanth Reddy also congratulated the ‘RRR’ team.

    Indian celebs hail Oscar wins for ‘RRR’, ‘The Elephant Whisperers’

    “Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh,” Alia, who played a pivotal role in ‘RRR’, reacted to the winning news.  In another post, she congratulated The Elephant Whisperers and its producer Guneet Monga.

    “ufff what a visual! Historic.Congratulations @guneetmonga and the whole team,” she wrote.

    Priyanka Chopra took to Instagram Story and applauded the RRR team.

    Sharing the winning moment, she wrote, “Yesss team.” She also added Indian Flag emoji to the caption.

    “Yay…another win,” actress Mini Mathur wrote on Instagram Story.

    ‘Naatu Naatu’ won the award trumping big names like Rihanna and Lady Gaga. Composer MM Keeravani and lyricist Chandrabose accepted the award on behalf of the team. Singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava and composer along with director SS Rajamouli and lead actors Jr NTR and Ram Charan are all present at the big event.

    Hrithik Roshan and Ajay Devgn, took to social media to celebrate the double Oscar win for India for the Telugu blockbuster “RRR” and Tamil documentary short “The Elephant Whisperers”.

    Filmmaker Karan Johar called the Oscar win of “RRR” “historic”.

    “Historic!!!! OMG!!!!!!! I was jumping on my bed !!!!! So so so proud! @m.m.keeravani sir @ssrajamouli sir @jrntr @alwaysramcharan” he wrote on Instagram Stories.

    The director said he is proud of the team of The Elephant Whisperers for creating history at the Academy Awards.

    “Guneet!!!! @guneetmonga you did it!!!!! So so so proud of you!!!! You created history! Broke the glass ceiling and more than anything else paved the way applause, Respect and many a salute to you” he posted.

    Ajay Devgn, who also made a guest appearance in “RRR”, called the two trophies for Indian films a “proud moment”.

    “As it is often said, cinema speaks a universal language. Congratulations to the teams of #RRR and #TheElephantWhisperers for their #Oscar wins. It’s a proud moment,” he tweeted.

    Hrithik wrote, “Such a historic, proud & happy moment for Indian Cinema at #Oscars95 ! Many congratulations to the team of Best Documentary Short Film #TheElephantWhisperers & Team RRR for Best Original Song #NaatuNaatu !! More power to you all.

    ” “Wonderful!!! Congratulations to all of you #ElephantWhisperers” tweeted actor Kangana Ranaut.

    The actor also praised “RRR” for making India proud.

    “Congratulations to entire India, RRR, a movie about suppression, torture, killing, colonisation of Indians based on racial grounds gets appreciated on a world platform, number of Indians died just during one Bengal famine were way more than Jews died during holocaust. Thank team RRR” she added.

    Singer Anup Jalota said the song has become famous world over.

    Congratulations to MM Kreem, the director and the team for beautifully picturising the song, he added.

    Sound designer Resul Pookutty, who won an Oscar for Best Sound Mixing for 2008 movie “Slumdog Millionaire”, also congratulated the teams of “RRR” and “The Elephant Whisperers”.

    “This is a huge win congratulations to @mmkeeravaani and the team of #RRR” he said.

    “Huge huge congratulations to @guneetm and the team of #elephantwhispers for their #Oscar win @TheAcademy You all created history. Guneet #IToldYouSo” he added.

    Samantha Ruth Prabhu wrote on Instagram, “What an incredible moment. It’s an Oscar baby”

    Actor Rana Daggubati shared a video of the moment MM Keeravani and lyricist Chandrabose won the Oscar and wrote, “The roar of #RRR” “RRR” (Rise Roar Revolt), a pre-independence fictional story, follows two real-life Indian revolutionaries Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan) and Komaram Bheem (Jr NTR) in the 1920s.

    From the moment “Naatu Naatu” won the best original song award at 95th Oscars, social media is abuzz with countless posts about “RRR” and videos from the award ceremony.

    ALSO READ | ‘Naatu Naatu’ performance receives standing ovation at Oscars 2023

    Many shared the clips of the electrifying performance of the Telugu track “Naatu Naatu” by singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava from the ceremony, held at the Dolby Theatre and livestreamed on streaming platform Disney+ Hotstar in India.

    Others shared various videos of the team of “RRR”, including filmmaker SS Rajamouli, Ram Charan and Jr NTR, erupting with joy after “Naatu Naatu” was announced as the winner for best original song.

    The ceremony’s host Jimmy Kimmel, however, attracted criticism from some fans for calling “RRR” a “Bollywood movie” during his opening monologue.

    “I believe this is just the beginning”: Jr NTR on Oscar win for ‘RRR’

    ‘RRR’ actor Jr NTR said, “I cannot find the words to express my elation right now. This is not just a win for RRR but for India as a country. I believe this is just the beginning. Showing us how far Indian cinema can go. Congratulations to Keeravaani garu and Chandrabose garu. Of course none of this would have been possible without a master storyteller called Rajamouli and the audiences who showered us with all the love. I would also like to congratulate the team of ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ on their win today bringing another Oscar to India.”

    “Still feels like I am living in a dream”: Ram Charan on ‘RRR’ winning Oscar award

    Expressing gratitude and thankfulness, ‘RRR’ lead actor Ram Charan took to his Twitter account and shared a long note which he captioned, “We have won!! We have won as Indian Cinema!! We won as a country!! The Oscar Award is coming home!”

    Charan wrote, ” RRR is and will always remain as the most special film of our lives and of Indian Cinema history. I can’t thank everyone enough for manifesting the Oscar Award. It still feels like I am living in a dream. Thank you all for the unstoppable support and love. SS Rajamouli Garu and MM Keeravani Garu are the most precious gems of our Indian film industry. Thank you both for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this masterpiece.”

    ‘Naatu Naatu’ lyricist Chandrabose’s wife beams with pride, expresses gratitude to Rajamouli

    As Chandrabose bagged the award, his wife Suchitra expressed happiness.

    Speaking to ANI, she said, “I thank SS Rajamouli sir and his wife and Keeravaani Garu for giving Bose an opportunity to write this song.”

    Chandrabose’s daughter Amrutha also beamed with pride as her father’s song Naatu Naatu won Oscar.

    “It’s a surreal feeling. I am super proud of my dad,” she shared.

    Deepika Padukone gives special shoutout to ‘Naatu Naatu’ at Oscars 2023

    The actresses made it to the Academy Awards stage to give a special shoutout to RRR’s power-packed song ‘Naatu Naatu’ which has been nominated in the ‘Orginal Song’ category this year.

    Before Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava earned a standing ovation for their electrifying performance, Deepika announced the performance and even gave a special mention briefing the audience about the song amidst loud cheers.

    She said, “An irresistibly catchy chorus, electrifying beats and killer dance moves to match have made this song a global sensation. It plays during a pivotal scene in ‘RRR’, a movie about the friendship between real-life Indian revolutionaries Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem. In addition to being sung in Telugu and illustrating the film’s anti-colonialist themes, it’s also a total banger!”

    ALSO READ | Oscars 2023: Check out the list of winners; ‘Naatu Naatu’ from ‘RRR’, women create history

    She added, “It’s earned millions of views on Youtube and Tik Tok. Has audiences dancing in movie theatres all around the world and is also the first song ever from Indian production to be nominated for an Oscar. Do you know Naatu? Because if you don’t you’re about to. From the film RRR this is Naatu Naatu.”

    Deepika looked exquisite in an all-black off-shoulder velvet gown. She tied her hair into a bun and kept her make-up normal. She accessorized her look with a yellow diamond drop necklace.
     

  • Oscars 2023: Top leaders, celebrities congratulate team ‘RRR’, ‘The Elephant Whisperers’

    By Agencies

    PM congratulates teams behind ‘RRR’, ‘The Elephant Whisperers’

    PM Narendra Modi on Monday said India is proud and elated with “Naatu Naatu” winning an Oscar, and hailed the song as one that will be remembered for years to come.

    He also congratulated the entire team of Tamil documentary “The Elephant Whisperers” after it created history at the 95th Academy Awards by becoming the maiden Indian production to win in the Documentary Short Subject category.

    Reacting to the peppy, foot-tapping chartbuster from SS Rajamouli’s Telugu period action film “RRR” winning the Academy Award in the Best Original Song category, Modi tweeted, “Exceptional! The popularity of ‘Naatu Naatu’ is global.

    It will be a song that will be remembered for years to come.

    Exceptional!The popularity of ‘Naatu Naatu’ is global. It will be a song that will be remembered for years to come. Congratulations to @mmkeeravaani, @boselyricist and the entire team for this prestigious honour.India is elated and proud. #Oscars https://t.co/cANG5wHROt
    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 13, 2023
    “Congratulations to MM Keeravaani, Chandrabose and the entire team for this prestigious honour. India is elated and proud,” he said.

    In another tweet, Modi also congratulated director Kartiki Gonsalves, producer Guneet Monga and the entire team of “The Elephant Whisperers” for winning the Oscars.

    “Their work wonderfully highlights the importance of sustainable development and living in harmony with nature,” the prime minister said.

    AP CM, TDP chief Naidu congratulate ‘Naatu Naatu’ team

    Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday congratulated music director M M Keeravani and team for bagging an Oscar for the song ‘Naatu Naatu’ in the Music (Original Song) category.

    According to the Chief Minister, the song had amplified notations in a variety of genres, including pace, effect, beat and depth, showcasing the Telugu prowess at an international scale, creating history.

    He conveyed his wishes to the entire unit of the film – ‘RRR’-, directed by SS Rajamouli, for striking the ‘Oscar chord with music to the ears of the global audience.

    ‘ Reddy said the Academy award is the icing on the cake for the Indian cinema which recently celebrated its centenary.

    The #Telugu flag is flying higher!I’m filled with pride on a Telugu song, that so beautifully celebrates our folk heritage, being given its due recognition internationally today. @ssrajamouli, @tarak9999, @AlwaysRamCharan and @mmkeeravaani have truly redefined excellence! 1/2 https://t.co/jp75mpiZHv
    — YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (@ysjagan) March 13, 2023
    Similarly, N Chandrababu Naidu, former chief minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supremo noted that ‘Naatu Naatu’ has sealed its place in history by winning the award for best original song at the 95th Oscar awards.

    “This is probably the finest moment for Indian cinema and Telugus achieving it is even more special,” said Naidu congratulating Rajamouli, Keeravani, Jr NTR, Ram Charan, Chandrabose, Sipligunj, Kala Bhairava and choreographer Prem Rakshit.

    Former VP Venkaiah Naidu, film personalities congratulate ‘RRR’ team on Oscar recognition for ‘Naatu, Naatu’

    Former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, superstar Chiranjeevi and several other Telugu film personalities and political leaders expressed joy and pride over ‘Naatu, Naatu’ song from SS Rajamouli’s period action film ‘RRR’ winning an Oscar award.

    “Congratulations to composer Keeravani garu, lyricist Chandra Bose, ace director Rajamouli garu, & the crew of #RRR movie for making history by winning the prestigious #Oscar Award for the Best Original Song for the popular number, #NaatuNaatu,” Venkaiah Naidu tweeted.

    Soundararajan also took to Twitter to congratulate the ‘RRR’ team.

    ‘Naatu Naatu’ has sealed its place in history by winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the #Oscars. This is probably the finest moment for Indian Cinema and Telugus achieving it is even more special.(1/2) pic.twitter.com/BAKVLsPVxf
    — N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) March 13, 2023
    “Congratulations @RRRMovie team You made INDIAN’S& telugu film industry Proud by #Oscar,” she said.

    Chiranjeevi complemented ‘RRR’ director SS Rajamouli, music director MM Keeravani, lyricist Chandrabose and others who were involved in making the song.

    “NaatuNaatu ON TOP OF THE WORLD !!! And THE OSCAR for the Best Original Song Goes To : Take a Bow @mmkeeravaani garu & @boselyricist kaalabhairava7Rahulsipligunj #PremRakshith @tarak9999 @AlwaysRamCharan And the One & Only @ssrajamouli,” he tweeted.

    Chiranjeevi’s son Ram Charan is one of the heroes in ‘RRR’.

    Actor-turned-politician and Jana Sena Party founder Pawan Kalyan said the award has made Indians proud.

    The Oscar award and other international recognition to ‘RRR’ would inspire Indian directors, actors and writers, he said.

    State BJP president and MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar and state Congress chief A Revanth Reddy also congratulated the ‘RRR’ team.

    Indian celebs hail Oscar wins for ‘RRR’, ‘The Elephant Whisperers’

    “Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh,” Alia, who played a pivotal role in ‘RRR’, reacted to the winning news.  In another post, she congratulated The Elephant Whisperers and its producer Guneet Monga.

    “ufff what a visual! Historic.Congratulations @guneetmonga and the whole team,” she wrote.

    Priyanka Chopra took to Instagram Story and applauded the RRR team.

    Sharing the winning moment, she wrote, “Yesss team.” She also added Indian Flag emoji to the caption.

    “Yay…another win,” actress Mini Mathur wrote on Instagram Story.

    ‘Naatu Naatu’ won the award trumping big names like Rihanna and Lady Gaga. Composer MM Keeravani and lyricist Chandrabose accepted the award on behalf of the team. Singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava and composer along with director SS Rajamouli and lead actors Jr NTR and Ram Charan are all present at the big event.

    Hrithik Roshan and Ajay Devgn, took to social media to celebrate the double Oscar win for India for the Telugu blockbuster “RRR” and Tamil documentary short “The Elephant Whisperers”.

    Filmmaker Karan Johar called the Oscar win of “RRR” “historic”.

    “Historic!!!! OMG!!!!!!! I was jumping on my bed !!!!! So so so proud! @m.m.keeravani sir @ssrajamouli sir @jrntr @alwaysramcharan” he wrote on Instagram Stories.

    The director said he is proud of the team of The Elephant Whisperers for creating history at the Academy Awards.

    “Guneet!!!! @guneetmonga you did it!!!!! So so so proud of you!!!! You created history! Broke the glass ceiling and more than anything else paved the way applause, Respect and many a salute to you” he posted.

    Ajay Devgn, who also made a guest appearance in “RRR”, called the two trophies for Indian films a “proud moment”.

    “As it is often said, cinema speaks a universal language. Congratulations to the teams of #RRR and #TheElephantWhisperers for their #Oscar wins. It’s a proud moment,” he tweeted.

    Hrithik wrote, “Such a historic, proud & happy moment for Indian Cinema at #Oscars95 ! Many congratulations to the team of Best Documentary Short Film #TheElephantWhisperers & Team RRR for Best Original Song #NaatuNaatu !! More power to you all.”

    “Wonderful!!! Congratulations to all of you #ElephantWhisperers” tweeted actor Kangana Ranaut.

    The actor also praised “RRR” for making India proud.

    “Congratulations to entire India, RRR, a movie about suppression, torture, killing, colonisation of Indians based on racial grounds gets appreciated on a world platform, number of Indians died just during one Bengal famine were way more than Jews died during holocaust. Thank team RRR” she added.

    Singer Anup Jalota said the song has become famous world over.

    Congratulations to MM Kreem, the director and the team for beautifully picturising the song, he added.

    Actor Rajinikanth tweeted, “My hearty congratulations to Shri. Keeravani, Shri. Rajamouli and Shri. Kartiki Gonsalves for getting the prestigious Oscar Award. I salute to the proud Indians.”

    My hearty congratulations to Shri. Keeravani, Shri. Rajamouli and Shri. Kartiki Gonsalves for getting the prestigious Oscar Award. I salute to the proud Indians.
    — Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) March 13, 2023
    Sound designer Resul Pookutty, who won an Oscar for Best Sound Mixing for 2008 movie “Slumdog Millionaire”, also congratulated the teams of “RRR” and “The Elephant Whisperers”.

    “This is a huge win congratulations to @mmkeeravaani and the team of #RRR” he said.

    “Huge huge congratulations to @guneetm and the team of #elephantwhispers for their #Oscar win @TheAcademy You all created history. Guneet #IToldYouSo” he added.

    Samantha Ruth Prabhu wrote on Instagram, “What an incredible moment. It’s an Oscar baby”

    Actor Rana Daggubati shared a video of the moment MM Keeravani and lyricist Chandrabose won the Oscar and wrote, “The roar of #RRR” “RRR” (Rise Roar Revolt), a pre-independence fictional story, follows two real-life Indian revolutionaries Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan) and Komaram Bheem (Jr NTR) in the 1920s.

    From the moment “Naatu Naatu” won the best original song award at 95th Oscars, social media is abuzz with countless posts about “RRR” and videos from the award ceremony.

    ALSO READ | ‘Naatu Naatu’ performance receives standing ovation at Oscars 2023

    Many shared the clips of the electrifying performance of the Telugu track “Naatu Naatu” by singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava from the ceremony, held at the Dolby Theatre and livestreamed on streaming platform Disney+ Hotstar in India.

    Others shared various videos of the team of “RRR”, including filmmaker SS Rajamouli, Ram Charan and Jr NTR, erupting with joy after “Naatu Naatu” was announced as the winner for best original song.

    The ceremony’s host Jimmy Kimmel, however, attracted criticism from some fans for calling “RRR” a “Bollywood movie” during his opening monologue.

    “I believe this is just the beginning”: Jr NTR on Oscar win for ‘RRR’

    ‘RRR’ actor Jr NTR said, “I cannot find the words to express my elation right now. This is not just a win for RRR but for India as a country. I believe this is just the beginning. Showing us how far Indian cinema can go. Congratulations to Keeravaani garu and Chandrabose garu. Of course none of this would have been possible without a master storyteller called Rajamouli and the audiences who showered us with all the love. I would also like to congratulate the team of ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ on their win today bringing another Oscar to India.”

    “Still feels like I am living in a dream”: Ram Charan on ‘RRR’ winning Oscar award

    Expressing gratitude and thankfulness, ‘RRR’ lead actor Ram Charan took to his Twitter account and shared a long note which he captioned, “We have won!! We have won as Indian Cinema!! We won as a country!! The Oscar Award is coming home!”

    Charan wrote, ” RRR is and will always remain as the most special film of our lives and of Indian Cinema history. I can’t thank everyone enough for manifesting the Oscar Award. It still feels like I am living in a dream. Thank you all for the unstoppable support and love. SS Rajamouli Garu and MM Keeravani Garu are the most precious gems of our Indian film industry. Thank you both for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this masterpiece.”

    ‘Naatu Naatu’ lyricist Chandrabose’s wife beams with pride, expresses gratitude to Rajamouli

    As Chandrabose bagged the award, his wife Suchitra expressed happiness.

    Speaking to ANI, she said, “I thank SS Rajamouli sir and his wife and Keeravaani Garu for giving Bose an opportunity to write this song.”

    Chandrabose’s daughter Amrutha also beamed with pride as her father’s song Naatu Naatu won Oscar.

    “It’s a surreal feeling. I am super proud of my dad,” she shared.

    Deepika Padukone gives special shoutout to ‘Naatu Naatu’ at Oscars 2023

    The actresses made it to the Academy Awards stage to give a special shoutout to RRR’s power-packed song ‘Naatu Naatu’ which has been nominated in the ‘Orginal Song’ category this year.

    Before Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava earned a standing ovation for their electrifying performance, Deepika announced the performance and even gave a special mention briefing the audience about the song amidst loud cheers.

    She said, “An irresistibly catchy chorus, electrifying beats and killer dance moves to match have made this song a global sensation. It plays during a pivotal scene in ‘RRR’, a movie about the friendship between real-life Indian revolutionaries Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem. In addition to being sung in Telugu and illustrating the film’s anti-colonialist themes, it’s also a total banger!”

    ALSO READ | Oscars 2023: Check out the list of winners; ‘Naatu Naatu’ from ‘RRR’, women create history

    She added, “It’s earned millions of views on Youtube and Tik Tok. Has audiences dancing in movie theatres all around the world and is also the first song ever from Indian production to be nominated for an Oscar. Do you know Naatu? Because if you don’t you’re about to. From the film RRR this is Naatu Naatu.”

    Deepika looked exquisite in an all-black off-shoulder velvet gown. She tied her hair into a bun and kept her make-up normal. She accessorized her look with a yellow diamond drop necklace. 

    PM congratulates teams behind ‘RRR’, ‘The Elephant Whisperers’

    PM Narendra Modi on Monday said India is proud and elated with “Naatu Naatu” winning an Oscar, and hailed the song as one that will be remembered for years to come.

    He also congratulated the entire team of Tamil documentary “The Elephant Whisperers” after it created history at the 95th Academy Awards by becoming the maiden Indian production to win in the Documentary Short Subject category.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Reacting to the peppy, foot-tapping chartbuster from SS Rajamouli’s Telugu period action film “RRR” winning the Academy Award in the Best Original Song category, Modi tweeted, “Exceptional! The popularity of ‘Naatu Naatu’ is global.

    It will be a song that will be remembered for years to come.

    Exceptional!
    The popularity of ‘Naatu Naatu’ is global. It will be a song that will be remembered for years to come. Congratulations to @mmkeeravaani, @boselyricist and the entire team for this prestigious honour.
    India is elated and proud. #Oscars https://t.co/cANG5wHROt
    — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 13, 2023
    “Congratulations to MM Keeravaani, Chandrabose and the entire team for this prestigious honour. India is elated and proud,” he said.

    In another tweet, Modi also congratulated director Kartiki Gonsalves, producer Guneet Monga and the entire team of “The Elephant Whisperers” for winning the Oscars.

    “Their work wonderfully highlights the importance of sustainable development and living in harmony with nature,” the prime minister said.

    AP CM, TDP chief Naidu congratulate ‘Naatu Naatu’ team

    Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday congratulated music director M M Keeravani and team for bagging an Oscar for the song ‘Naatu Naatu’ in the Music (Original Song) category.

    According to the Chief Minister, the song had amplified notations in a variety of genres, including pace, effect, beat and depth, showcasing the Telugu prowess at an international scale, creating history.

    He conveyed his wishes to the entire unit of the film – ‘RRR’-, directed by SS Rajamouli, for striking the ‘Oscar chord with music to the ears of the global audience.

    ‘ Reddy said the Academy award is the icing on the cake for the Indian cinema which recently celebrated its centenary.

    The #Telugu flag is flying higher!
    I’m filled with pride on a Telugu song, that so beautifully celebrates our folk heritage, being given its due recognition internationally today. @ssrajamouli, @tarak9999, @AlwaysRamCharan and @mmkeeravaani have truly redefined excellence! 1/2 https://t.co/jp75mpiZHv
    — YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (@ysjagan) March 13, 2023
    Similarly, N Chandrababu Naidu, former chief minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supremo noted that ‘Naatu Naatu’ has sealed its place in history by winning the award for best original song at the 95th Oscar awards.

    “This is probably the finest moment for Indian cinema and Telugus achieving it is even more special,” said Naidu congratulating Rajamouli, Keeravani, Jr NTR, Ram Charan, Chandrabose, Sipligunj, Kala Bhairava and choreographer Prem Rakshit.

    Former VP Venkaiah Naidu, film personalities congratulate ‘RRR’ team on Oscar recognition for ‘Naatu, Naatu’

    Former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, superstar Chiranjeevi and several other Telugu film personalities and political leaders expressed joy and pride over ‘Naatu, Naatu’ song from SS Rajamouli’s period action film ‘RRR’ winning an Oscar award.

    “Congratulations to composer Keeravani garu, lyricist Chandra Bose, ace director Rajamouli garu, & the crew of #RRR movie for making history by winning the prestigious #Oscar Award for the Best Original Song for the popular number, #NaatuNaatu,” Venkaiah Naidu tweeted.

    Soundararajan also took to Twitter to congratulate the ‘RRR’ team.

    ‘Naatu Naatu’ has sealed its place in history by winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the #Oscars. This is probably the finest moment for Indian Cinema and Telugus achieving it is even more special.(1/2) pic.twitter.com/BAKVLsPVxf
    — N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) March 13, 2023
    “Congratulations @RRRMovie team You made INDIAN’S& telugu film industry Proud by #Oscar,” she said.

    Chiranjeevi complemented ‘RRR’ director SS Rajamouli, music director MM Keeravani, lyricist Chandrabose and others who were involved in making the song.

    “NaatuNaatu ON TOP OF THE WORLD !!! And THE OSCAR for the Best Original Song Goes To : Take a Bow @mmkeeravaani garu & @boselyricist kaalabhairava7Rahulsipligunj #PremRakshith @tarak9999 @AlwaysRamCharan And the One & Only @ssrajamouli,” he tweeted.

    Chiranjeevi’s son Ram Charan is one of the heroes in ‘RRR’.

    Actor-turned-politician and Jana Sena Party founder Pawan Kalyan said the award has made Indians proud.

    The Oscar award and other international recognition to ‘RRR’ would inspire Indian directors, actors and writers, he said.

    State BJP president and MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar and state Congress chief A Revanth Reddy also congratulated the ‘RRR’ team.

    Indian celebs hail Oscar wins for ‘RRR’, ‘The Elephant Whisperers’

    “Aaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh,” Alia, who played a pivotal role in ‘RRR’, reacted to the winning news.  In another post, she congratulated The Elephant Whisperers and its producer Guneet Monga.

    “ufff what a visual! Historic.Congratulations @guneetmonga and the whole team,” she wrote.

    Priyanka Chopra took to Instagram Story and applauded the RRR team.

    Sharing the winning moment, she wrote, “Yesss team.” She also added Indian Flag emoji to the caption.

    “Yay…another win,” actress Mini Mathur wrote on Instagram Story.

    ‘Naatu Naatu’ won the award trumping big names like Rihanna and Lady Gaga. Composer MM Keeravani and lyricist Chandrabose accepted the award on behalf of the team. Singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava and composer along with director SS Rajamouli and lead actors Jr NTR and Ram Charan are all present at the big event.

    Hrithik Roshan and Ajay Devgn, took to social media to celebrate the double Oscar win for India for the Telugu blockbuster “RRR” and Tamil documentary short “The Elephant Whisperers”.

    Filmmaker Karan Johar called the Oscar win of “RRR” “historic”.

    “Historic!!!! OMG!!!!!!! I was jumping on my bed !!!!! So so so proud! @m.m.keeravani sir @ssrajamouli sir @jrntr @alwaysramcharan” he wrote on Instagram Stories.

    The director said he is proud of the team of The Elephant Whisperers for creating history at the Academy Awards.

    “Guneet!!!! @guneetmonga you did it!!!!! So so so proud of you!!!! You created history! Broke the glass ceiling and more than anything else paved the way applause, Respect and many a salute to you” he posted.

    Ajay Devgn, who also made a guest appearance in “RRR”, called the two trophies for Indian films a “proud moment”.

    “As it is often said, cinema speaks a universal language. Congratulations to the teams of #RRR and #TheElephantWhisperers for their #Oscar wins. It’s a proud moment,” he tweeted.

    Hrithik wrote, “Such a historic, proud & happy moment for Indian Cinema at #Oscars95 ! Many congratulations to the team of Best Documentary Short Film #TheElephantWhisperers & Team RRR for Best Original Song #NaatuNaatu !! More power to you all.”

    “Wonderful!!! Congratulations to all of you #ElephantWhisperers” tweeted actor Kangana Ranaut.

    The actor also praised “RRR” for making India proud.

    “Congratulations to entire India, RRR, a movie about suppression, torture, killing, colonisation of Indians based on racial grounds gets appreciated on a world platform, number of Indians died just during one Bengal famine were way more than Jews died during holocaust. Thank team RRR” she added.

    Singer Anup Jalota said the song has become famous world over.

    Congratulations to MM Kreem, the director and the team for beautifully picturising the song, he added.

    Actor Rajinikanth tweeted, “My hearty congratulations to Shri. Keeravani, Shri. Rajamouli and Shri. Kartiki Gonsalves for getting the prestigious Oscar Award. I salute to the proud Indians.”

    My hearty congratulations to Shri. Keeravani, Shri. Rajamouli and Shri. Kartiki Gonsalves for getting the prestigious Oscar Award. I salute to the proud Indians.
    — Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) March 13, 2023
    Sound designer Resul Pookutty, who won an Oscar for Best Sound Mixing for 2008 movie “Slumdog Millionaire”, also congratulated the teams of “RRR” and “The Elephant Whisperers”.

    “This is a huge win congratulations to @mmkeeravaani and the team of #RRR” he said.

    “Huge huge congratulations to @guneetm and the team of #elephantwhispers for their #Oscar win @TheAcademy You all created history. Guneet #IToldYouSo” he added.

    Samantha Ruth Prabhu wrote on Instagram, “What an incredible moment. It’s an Oscar baby”

    Actor Rana Daggubati shared a video of the moment MM Keeravani and lyricist Chandrabose won the Oscar and wrote, “The roar of #RRR” “RRR” (Rise Roar Revolt), a pre-independence fictional story, follows two real-life Indian revolutionaries Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan) and Komaram Bheem (Jr NTR) in the 1920s.

    From the moment “Naatu Naatu” won the best original song award at 95th Oscars, social media is abuzz with countless posts about “RRR” and videos from the award ceremony.

    ALSO READ | ‘Naatu Naatu’ performance receives standing ovation at Oscars 2023

    Many shared the clips of the electrifying performance of the Telugu track “Naatu Naatu” by singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava from the ceremony, held at the Dolby Theatre and livestreamed on streaming platform Disney+ Hotstar in India.

    Others shared various videos of the team of “RRR”, including filmmaker SS Rajamouli, Ram Charan and Jr NTR, erupting with joy after “Naatu Naatu” was announced as the winner for best original song.

    The ceremony’s host Jimmy Kimmel, however, attracted criticism from some fans for calling “RRR” a “Bollywood movie” during his opening monologue.

    “I believe this is just the beginning”: Jr NTR on Oscar win for ‘RRR’

    ‘RRR’ actor Jr NTR said, “I cannot find the words to express my elation right now. This is not just a win for RRR but for India as a country. I believe this is just the beginning. Showing us how far Indian cinema can go. Congratulations to Keeravaani garu and Chandrabose garu. Of course none of this would have been possible without a master storyteller called Rajamouli and the audiences who showered us with all the love. I would also like to congratulate the team of ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ on their win today bringing another Oscar to India.”

    “Still feels like I am living in a dream”: Ram Charan on ‘RRR’ winning Oscar award

    Expressing gratitude and thankfulness, ‘RRR’ lead actor Ram Charan took to his Twitter account and shared a long note which he captioned, “We have won!! We have won as Indian Cinema!! We won as a country!! The Oscar Award is coming home!”

    Charan wrote, ” RRR is and will always remain as the most special film of our lives and of Indian Cinema history. I can’t thank everyone enough for manifesting the Oscar Award. It still feels like I am living in a dream. Thank you all for the unstoppable support and love. SS Rajamouli Garu and MM Keeravani Garu are the most precious gems of our Indian film industry. Thank you both for giving me the opportunity to be a part of this masterpiece.”

    ‘Naatu Naatu’ lyricist Chandrabose’s wife beams with pride, expresses gratitude to Rajamouli

    As Chandrabose bagged the award, his wife Suchitra expressed happiness.

    Speaking to ANI, she said, “I thank SS Rajamouli sir and his wife and Keeravaani Garu for giving Bose an opportunity to write this song.”

    Chandrabose’s daughter Amrutha also beamed with pride as her father’s song Naatu Naatu won Oscar.

    “It’s a surreal feeling. I am super proud of my dad,” she shared.

    Deepika Padukone gives special shoutout to ‘Naatu Naatu’ at Oscars 2023

    The actresses made it to the Academy Awards stage to give a special shoutout to RRR’s power-packed song ‘Naatu Naatu’ which has been nominated in the ‘Orginal Song’ category this year.

    Before Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava earned a standing ovation for their electrifying performance, Deepika announced the performance and even gave a special mention briefing the audience about the song amidst loud cheers.

    She said, “An irresistibly catchy chorus, electrifying beats and killer dance moves to match have made this song a global sensation. It plays during a pivotal scene in ‘RRR’, a movie about the friendship between real-life Indian revolutionaries Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem. In addition to being sung in Telugu and illustrating the film’s anti-colonialist themes, it’s also a total banger!”

    ALSO READ | Oscars 2023: Check out the list of winners; ‘Naatu Naatu’ from ‘RRR’, women create history

    She added, “It’s earned millions of views on Youtube and Tik Tok. Has audiences dancing in movie theatres all around the world and is also the first song ever from Indian production to be nominated for an Oscar. Do you know Naatu? Because if you don’t you’re about to. From the film RRR this is Naatu Naatu.”

    Deepika looked exquisite in an all-black off-shoulder velvet gown. She tied her hair into a bun and kept her make-up normal. She accessorized her look with a yellow diamond drop necklace.
     

  • Oscars 2023: Check out the list of winners; ‘Naatu Naatu’ from ‘RRR’, women create history

    By Online Desk

    India stamps its presence in the Oscars

    While the global hit, ‘Naatu Nattu’ from SS Rajamouli’s blockbuster RRR won the Best Original Song, the Tamil documentary ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ emerged as the winner at the 95th Academy Awards making it a maiden victory for India in the Documentary Short Subject category.

    Filmmaker Shaunak Sen’s ‘All That Breathes’ was nominated in the Best Documentary Feature Film category, which was won by Navalny.

    First Indian track to win Oscars

    Filmmaker SS Rajamouli’s period action blockbuster “RRR” charted history by becoming the first Indian track to win the Academy Award in the Best Original Song category for “Naatu Naatu”.

    Indian composer M.M. Keeravaani (R) and lyricist Chandrabose accept the Oscar for Best Music (Original Song) for ‘Naatu Naatu’ from ‘RRR’. (Photo | AFP)

    ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ conquers Oscars 2023

    The surreal sci-fi film “Everything Everywhere All at Once” dominated the Oscars on Sunday, winning seven golden statuettes including best picture, Hollywood’s most coveted prize.

    WATCH |

    The comedy-drama film written and directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert features multiple universes, sex toys and hot dog fingers. It won the best director, best actress, best original screenplay, best editing, and both the best supporting actor and actress prizes.

    Daniel Scheinert, left, and Daniel Kwan accept the award for best original screenplay for ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ at the Oscars. (Photo | AP)

    First Asian woman to win best actress

    Michelle Yeoh, a Malaysian, made history by becoming the first Asian woman to win the best actress Oscar, for her exuberant portrayal of an immigrant business owner thrust into a zany multiverse in the sci-fi trip “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”

    First Black woman to win two Oscars

    Ruth E. Carter the costume designer behind the “Black Panther” films became the first Black woman to win two Oscars. Carter took home best costume design Sunday night at the 95th Academy Awards for the Marvel sequel “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Carter also won in 2018 for “Black Panther,” which made her the first African American to win in the category.

    The Oscars were hosted by Jimmy Kimmel (for the third time) at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

    ​Time-appropriate

    A wrenching German adaptation of the classic war novel “All Quiet on the Western Front” clinched the Academy Award for best international feature Sunday with its timely anti-militarist message.

    Deepika Padukone presents awards

    Indian actress Deepika Padukone who was one of the presenters at the Oscars on Sunday to introduce the performance of best original song “Naatu Naatu,” from “RRR.”

    In presenting the song, she noted its anti-colonialist themes — but it’s also “a total banger,” she said.

    Padukone is the third Indian star to present at the Oscars after Persis Khambatta and Priyanka Chopra. She introduced the live Naatu Naatu performance on stage.

    ​Deepika Padukone arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo | AP)​

    Key winners of Oscars 2023

    Best documentary short: “The Elephant Whisperers” (Kartiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga)

    Best original song: “Naatu Naatu” from “RRR”

    Best picture: “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

    Best director: Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

    Best actor: Brendan Fraser, “The Whale”

    Best actress: Michelle Yeoh, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

    Best supporting actor: Ke Huy Quan, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

    Best supporting actress: Jamie Lee Curtis, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

    Best international feature film: “All Quiet on the Western Front” (Germany)

    Best cinematography: “All Quiet on the Western Front”

    Best animated feature: “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio”

    Best documentary feature: “Navalny”

    Best original score: “All Quiet on the Western Front,” Volker Bertelmann

    Best editing: “Everything Everywhere All at Once” (Paul Rogers)

    Best adapted screenplay: “Women Talking” (Sarah Polley)

    Best animated short: “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” (Charlie Mackesy and Matthew Freud)

    Best costume design: “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (Ruth Carter)

    Best makeup and hairstyling: “The Whale” (Adrien Morot, Judy Chin and Annemarie Bradley)

    Best live-action short: “An Irish Goodbye” (Tom Berkeley and Ross White)

    Best visual effects: “Avatar: The Way of Water” (Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon and Daniel Barrett)

    Best sound: “Top Gun: Maverick” (Mark Weingarten, James Mather, Al Nelson, Chris Burdon and Mark Taylor)

    Best production design: “All Quiet on the Western Front” (Christian M. Goldbeck and Ernestine Hipper)

    India stamps its presence in the Oscars

    While the global hit, ‘Naatu Nattu’ from SS Rajamouli’s blockbuster RRR won the Best Original Song, the Tamil documentary ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ emerged as the winner at the 95th Academy Awards making it a maiden victory for India in the Documentary Short Subject category.

    Filmmaker Shaunak Sen’s ‘All That Breathes’ was nominated in the Best Documentary Feature Film category, which was won by Navalny.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    First Indian track to win Oscars

    Filmmaker SS Rajamouli’s period action blockbuster “RRR” charted history by becoming the first Indian track to win the Academy Award in the Best Original Song category for “Naatu Naatu”.

    Indian composer M.M. Keeravaani (R) and lyricist Chandrabose accept the Oscar for Best Music (Original Song) for ‘Naatu Naatu’ from ‘RRR’. (Photo | AFP)

    ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ conquers Oscars 2023

    The surreal sci-fi film “Everything Everywhere All at Once” dominated the Oscars on Sunday, winning seven golden statuettes including best picture, Hollywood’s most coveted prize.

    WATCH |

    The comedy-drama film written and directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert features multiple universes, sex toys and hot dog fingers. It won the best director, best actress, best original screenplay, best editing, and both the best supporting actor and actress prizes.

    Daniel Scheinert, left, and Daniel Kwan accept the award for best original screenplay for ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ at the Oscars. (Photo | AP)

    First Asian woman to win best actress

    Michelle Yeoh, a Malaysian, made history by becoming the first Asian woman to win the best actress Oscar, for her exuberant portrayal of an immigrant business owner thrust into a zany multiverse in the sci-fi trip “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”

    First Black woman to win two Oscars

    Ruth E. Carter the costume designer behind the “Black Panther” films became the first Black woman to win two Oscars. Carter took home best costume design Sunday night at the 95th Academy Awards for the Marvel sequel “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Carter also won in 2018 for “Black Panther,” which made her the first African American to win in the category.

    The Oscars were hosted by Jimmy Kimmel (for the third time) at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

    ​Time-appropriate

    A wrenching German adaptation of the classic war novel “All Quiet on the Western Front” clinched the Academy Award for best international feature Sunday with its timely anti-militarist message.

    Deepika Padukone presents awards

    Indian actress Deepika Padukone who was one of the presenters at the Oscars on Sunday to introduce the performance of best original song “Naatu Naatu,” from “RRR.”

    In presenting the song, she noted its anti-colonialist themes — but it’s also “a total banger,” she said.

    Padukone is the third Indian star to present at the Oscars after Persis Khambatta and Priyanka Chopra. She introduced the live Naatu Naatu performance on stage.

    ​Deepika Padukone arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo | AP)
    ​

    Key winners of Oscars 2023

    Best documentary short: “The Elephant Whisperers” (Kartiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga)

    Best original song: “Naatu Naatu” from “RRR”

    Best picture: “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

    Best director: Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

    Best actor: Brendan Fraser, “The Whale”

    Best actress: Michelle Yeoh, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

    Best supporting actor: Ke Huy Quan, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

    Best supporting actress: Jamie Lee Curtis, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

    Best international feature film: “All Quiet on the Western Front” (Germany)

    Best cinematography: “All Quiet on the Western Front”

    Best animated feature: “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio”

    Best documentary feature: “Navalny”

    Best original score: “All Quiet on the Western Front,” Volker Bertelmann

    Best editing: “Everything Everywhere All at Once” (Paul Rogers)

    Best adapted screenplay: “Women Talking” (Sarah Polley)

    Best animated short: “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” (Charlie Mackesy and Matthew Freud)

    Best costume design: “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (Ruth Carter)

    Best makeup and hairstyling: “The Whale” (Adrien Morot, Judy Chin and Annemarie Bradley)

    Best live-action short: “An Irish Goodbye” (Tom Berkeley and Ross White)

    Best visual effects: “Avatar: The Way of Water” (Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon and Daniel Barrett)

    Best sound: “Top Gun: Maverick” (Mark Weingarten, James Mather, Al Nelson, Chris Burdon and Mark Taylor)

    Best production design: “All Quiet on the Western Front” (Christian M. Goldbeck and Ernestine Hipper)

  • Oscars 2023: Check out the list of winners; ‘Naatu Naatu’ from ‘RRR’, women create history

    By Online Desk

    India stamps its presence in the Oscars

    While the global hit, ‘Naatu Nattu’ from SS Rajamouli’s blockbuster RRR won the Best Original Song, the Tamil documentary ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ emerged as the winner at the 95th Academy Awards making it a maiden victory for India in the Documentary Short Subject category.

    Filmmaker Shaunak Sen’s ‘All That Breathes’ was nominated in the Best Documentary Feature Film category, which was won by Navalny.

    First Indian track to win Oscars

    Filmmaker SS Rajamouli’s period action blockbuster “RRR” charted history by becoming the first Indian track to win the Academy Award in the Best Original Song category for “Naatu Naatu”.

    Indian composer M.M. Keeravaani (R) and lyricist Chandrabose accept the Oscar for Best Music (Original Song) for ‘Naatu Naatu’ from ‘RRR’. (Photo | AFP)

    ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ conquers Oscars 2023

    The surreal sci-fi film “Everything Everywhere All at Once” dominated the Oscars on Sunday, winning seven golden statuettes including best picture, Hollywood’s most coveted prize.

    WATCH |

    The comedy-drama film written and directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert features multiple universes, sex toys and hot dog fingers. It won the best director, best actress, best original screenplay, best editing, and both the best supporting actor and actress prizes.

    Daniel Scheinert, left, and Daniel Kwan accept the award for best original screenplay for ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ at the Oscars. (Photo | AP)

    First Asian woman to win best actress

    Michelle Yeoh, a Malaysian, made history by becoming the first Asian woman to win the best actress Oscar, for her exuberant portrayal of an immigrant business owner thrust into a zany multiverse in the sci-fi trip “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”

    First Black woman to win two Oscars

    Ruth E. Carter the costume designer behind the “Black Panther” films became the first Black woman to win two Oscars. Carter took home best costume design Sunday night at the 95th Academy Awards for the Marvel sequel “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Carter also won in 2018 for “Black Panther,” which made her the first African American to win in the category.

    The Oscars were hosted by Jimmy Kimmel (for the third time) at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

    ​Time-appropriate

    A wrenching German adaptation of the classic war novel “All Quiet on the Western Front” clinched the Academy Award for best international feature Sunday with its timely anti-militarist message.

    Deepika Padukone presents awards

    Indian actress Deepika Padukone who was one of the presenters at the Oscars on Sunday to introduce the performance of best original song “Naatu Naatu,” from “RRR.”

    In presenting the song, she noted its anti-colonialist themes — but it’s also “a total banger,” she said.

    Padukone is the third Indian star to present at the Oscars after Persis Khambatta and Priyanka Chopra. She introduced the live Naatu Naatu performance on stage.

    ​Deepika Padukone arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo | AP)​

    Key winners of Oscars 2023

    Best documentary short: “The Elephant Whisperers” (Kartiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga)

    Best original song: “Naatu Naatu” from “RRR”

    Best picture: “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

    Best director: Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

    Best actor: Brendan Fraser, “The Whale”

    Best actress: Michelle Yeoh, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

    Best supporting actor: Ke Huy Quan, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

    Best supporting actress: Jamie Lee Curtis, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

    Best international feature film: “All Quiet on the Western Front” (Germany)

    Best cinematography: “All Quiet on the Western Front”

    Best animated feature: “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio”

    Best documentary feature: “Navalny”

    Best original score: “All Quiet on the Western Front,” Volker Bertelmann

    Best editing: “Everything Everywhere All at Once” (Paul Rogers)

    Best adapted screenplay: “Women Talking” (Sarah Polley)

    Best animated short: “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” (Charlie Mackesy and Matthew Freud)

    Best costume design: “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (Ruth Carter)

    Best makeup and hairstyling: “The Whale” (Adrien Morot, Judy Chin and Annemarie Bradley)

    Best live-action short: “An Irish Goodbye” (Tom Berkeley and Ross White)

    Best visual effects: “Avatar: The Way of Water” (Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon and Daniel Barrett)

    Best sound: “Top Gun: Maverick” (Mark Weingarten, James Mather, Al Nelson, Chris Burdon and Mark Taylor)

    Best production design: “All Quiet on the Western Front” (Christian M. Goldbeck and Ernestine Hipper)

    India stamps its presence in the Oscars

    While the global hit, ‘Naatu Nattu’ from SS Rajamouli’s blockbuster RRR won the Best Original Song, the Tamil documentary ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ emerged as the winner at the 95th Academy Awards making it a maiden victory for India in the Documentary Short Subject category.

    Filmmaker Shaunak Sen’s ‘All That Breathes’ was nominated in the Best Documentary Feature Film category, which was won by Navalny.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    First Indian track to win Oscars

    Filmmaker SS Rajamouli’s period action blockbuster “RRR” charted history by becoming the first Indian track to win the Academy Award in the Best Original Song category for “Naatu Naatu”.

    Indian composer M.M. Keeravaani (R) and lyricist Chandrabose accept the Oscar for Best Music (Original Song) for ‘Naatu Naatu’ from ‘RRR’. (Photo | AFP)

    ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ conquers Oscars 2023

    The surreal sci-fi film “Everything Everywhere All at Once” dominated the Oscars on Sunday, winning seven golden statuettes including best picture, Hollywood’s most coveted prize.

    WATCH |

    The comedy-drama film written and directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert features multiple universes, sex toys and hot dog fingers. It won the best director, best actress, best original screenplay, best editing, and both the best supporting actor and actress prizes.

    Daniel Scheinert, left, and Daniel Kwan accept the award for best original screenplay for ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ at the Oscars. (Photo | AP)

    First Asian woman to win best actress

    Michelle Yeoh, a Malaysian, made history by becoming the first Asian woman to win the best actress Oscar, for her exuberant portrayal of an immigrant business owner thrust into a zany multiverse in the sci-fi trip “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”

    First Black woman to win two Oscars

    Ruth E. Carter the costume designer behind the “Black Panther” films became the first Black woman to win two Oscars. Carter took home best costume design Sunday night at the 95th Academy Awards for the Marvel sequel “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Carter also won in 2018 for “Black Panther,” which made her the first African American to win in the category.

    The Oscars were hosted by Jimmy Kimmel (for the third time) at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

    ​Time-appropriate

    A wrenching German adaptation of the classic war novel “All Quiet on the Western Front” clinched the Academy Award for best international feature Sunday with its timely anti-militarist message.

    Deepika Padukone presents awards

    Indian actress Deepika Padukone who was one of the presenters at the Oscars on Sunday to introduce the performance of best original song “Naatu Naatu,” from “RRR.”

    In presenting the song, she noted its anti-colonialist themes — but it’s also “a total banger,” she said.

    Padukone is the third Indian star to present at the Oscars after Persis Khambatta and Priyanka Chopra. She introduced the live Naatu Naatu performance on stage.

    ​Deepika Padukone arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo | AP)
    ​

    Key winners of Oscars 2023

    Best documentary short: “The Elephant Whisperers” (Kartiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga)

    Best original song: “Naatu Naatu” from “RRR”

    Best picture: “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

    Best director: Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

    Best actor: Brendan Fraser, “The Whale”

    Best actress: Michelle Yeoh, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

    Best supporting actor: Ke Huy Quan, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

    Best supporting actress: Jamie Lee Curtis, “Everything Everywhere All at Once”

    Best international feature film: “All Quiet on the Western Front” (Germany)

    Best cinematography: “All Quiet on the Western Front”

    Best animated feature: “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio”

    Best documentary feature: “Navalny”

    Best original score: “All Quiet on the Western Front,” Volker Bertelmann

    Best editing: “Everything Everywhere All at Once” (Paul Rogers)

    Best adapted screenplay: “Women Talking” (Sarah Polley)

    Best animated short: “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” (Charlie Mackesy and Matthew Freud)

    Best costume design: “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (Ruth Carter)

    Best makeup and hairstyling: “The Whale” (Adrien Morot, Judy Chin and Annemarie Bradley)

    Best live-action short: “An Irish Goodbye” (Tom Berkeley and Ross White)

    Best visual effects: “Avatar: The Way of Water” (Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon and Daniel Barrett)

    Best sound: “Top Gun: Maverick” (Mark Weingarten, James Mather, Al Nelson, Chris Burdon and Mark Taylor)

    Best production design: “All Quiet on the Western Front” (Christian M. Goldbeck and Ernestine Hipper)

  • India@Oscars: ‘RRR’ team, Deepika Padukone stun at red carpet

    By PTI

    LOS ANGELES: The team of “RRR” and Hindi film star Deepika Padukone led the Indian contingent at the red carpet of the 95th Oscars where India is vying for three trophies.

    This year, India-made productions have earned three nominations at the Academy Awards — “Naatu Naatu” has been shortlisted for Original Song, “All That Breathes” is in the running for Documentary Feature and “The Elephant Whisperers” for Documentary Short.

    “RRR” director SS Rajamouli represented the country at the global stage wearing a traditional dhoti with mauve-coloured silk kurta.

    His leading men Ram Charan and Jr NTR wore black velvet bandhgalas with statement embroidery reminiscent of their characters in “RRR”.

    “The RRR at the #OSCARS!!! #Oscars95 #NaatuNaatu #RRRMovie,” the official Twitter page of “RRR” shared the pictures from the red carpet.

    Charan — whose character Alluri Sitarama Raju was described as a soldier in the British Indian Army — sported a medal-like brooch on his bandhgala.

    ALSO READ| The Elephant Whisperers Interview: We wanted indigenous people to have a voice

    He was accompanied by his wife and entrepreneur Upasana Konidela, who looked resplendent in white.

    Jr NTR’s sherwani celebrated the majestic tiger with whom his character Komaram Bheem has a face off in “RRR”.

    “RRR” (Rise Roar Revolt), a pre-independence fictional story, follows two real-life Indian revolutionaries Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan) and Komaram Bheem (Jr NTR) in the 1920s.

    Padukone, who will be presenting an award at the Oscars, channelled Hollywood icon Audrey Hepburn for her maiden appearance at the Academy Awards.

    Deepika Padukone introduces the song “Naatu Naatu” from “RRR” at the Oscars on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo | AP)

    She wore a custom Louis Vuitton black gown with matching satin gloves and completed her look with a statement neckpiece from Cartier. The Indian star tied her hair in a neat loose bun.

    “Naatu Naatu” singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava, who will perform the Telugu chartbuster at the Oscars stage, also walked the red carpet along with choreographer Prem Rakshith.

    Sipligunj wore a metallic grey kurta with cigarette pants and blingy white shoes, and Bhairava and Rakshith donned black attire.

    ALSO READ | ‘Naatu Naatu’ performance receives standing ovation at Oscars 2023

    Talking about the performing the Oscar-nominated track, Bhairava said they are grateful to the Academy for giving the singers an opportunity to perform “Naatu Naatu” on the stage.

    “It’s going to be fun. There’s going to be lots of dance and energy,” he told The Hollywood Reporter on the red carpet,” Bhairava said. 

    “‘RRR’ is very rooted in its nativity. The most beautiful part of the Oscars is that everyone comes and represents their culture and art forms,” she added.

    Kartiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga — “The Elephant Whisperers” director and producer duo — brought Indian colours to the red carpet.

    Monga opted for a bright traditional Benarasi saree in deep pink and Gonsalves chose a heavily embroidered floor-length dress.

    “Let’s Oscars @kartikigonsalves,” Monga posted on her Instagram Stories.

    The Tamil short documentary depicts an unbreakable bond between two abandoned elephants and their caretakers.

    LOS ANGELES: The team of “RRR” and Hindi film star Deepika Padukone led the Indian contingent at the red carpet of the 95th Oscars where India is vying for three trophies.

    This year, India-made productions have earned three nominations at the Academy Awards — “Naatu Naatu” has been shortlisted for Original Song, “All That Breathes” is in the running for Documentary Feature and “The Elephant Whisperers” for Documentary Short.

    “RRR” director SS Rajamouli represented the country at the global stage wearing a traditional dhoti with mauve-coloured silk kurta.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    His leading men Ram Charan and Jr NTR wore black velvet bandhgalas with statement embroidery reminiscent of their characters in “RRR”.

    “The RRR at the #OSCARS!!! #Oscars95 #NaatuNaatu #RRRMovie,” the official Twitter page of “RRR” shared the pictures from the red carpet.

    Charan — whose character Alluri Sitarama Raju was described as a soldier in the British Indian Army — sported a medal-like brooch on his bandhgala.

    ALSO READ| The Elephant Whisperers Interview: We wanted indigenous people to have a voice

    He was accompanied by his wife and entrepreneur Upasana Konidela, who looked resplendent in white.

    Jr NTR’s sherwani celebrated the majestic tiger with whom his character Komaram Bheem has a face off in “RRR”.

    “RRR” (Rise Roar Revolt), a pre-independence fictional story, follows two real-life Indian revolutionaries Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan) and Komaram Bheem (Jr NTR) in the 1920s.

    Padukone, who will be presenting an award at the Oscars, channelled Hollywood icon Audrey Hepburn for her maiden appearance at the Academy Awards.

    Deepika Padukone introduces the song “Naatu Naatu” from “RRR” at the Oscars on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo | AP)

    She wore a custom Louis Vuitton black gown with matching satin gloves and completed her look with a statement neckpiece from Cartier. The Indian star tied her hair in a neat loose bun.

    “Naatu Naatu” singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava, who will perform the Telugu chartbuster at the Oscars stage, also walked the red carpet along with choreographer Prem Rakshith.

    Sipligunj wore a metallic grey kurta with cigarette pants and blingy white shoes, and Bhairava and Rakshith donned black attire.

    ALSO READ | ‘Naatu Naatu’ performance receives standing ovation at Oscars 2023

    Talking about the performing the Oscar-nominated track, Bhairava said they are grateful to the Academy for giving the singers an opportunity to perform “Naatu Naatu” on the stage.

    “It’s going to be fun. There’s going to be lots of dance and energy,” he told The Hollywood Reporter on the red carpet,” Bhairava said. 

    “‘RRR’ is very rooted in its nativity. The most beautiful part of the Oscars is that everyone comes and represents their culture and art forms,” she added.

    Kartiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga — “The Elephant Whisperers” director and producer duo — brought Indian colours to the red carpet.

    Monga opted for a bright traditional Benarasi saree in deep pink and Gonsalves chose a heavily embroidered floor-length dress.

    “Let’s Oscars @kartikigonsalves,” Monga posted on her Instagram Stories.

    The Tamil short documentary depicts an unbreakable bond between two abandoned elephants and their caretakers.

  • India@Oscars: Deepika Padukone stuns in Louis Vuitton gown, team ‘RRR’ goes desi

    By PTI

    LOS ANGELES: The team of “RRR” and Hindi film star Deepika Padukone led the Indian contingent at the red carpet of the 95th Oscars where India is vying for three trophies.

    This year, India-made productions have earned three nominations at the Academy Awards — “Naatu Naatu” has been shortlisted for Original Song, “All That Breathes” is in the running for Documentary Feature and “The Elephant Whisperers” for Documentary Short.

    “RRR” director SS Rajamouli represented the country at the global stage wearing a traditional dhoti with mauve-coloured silk kurta.

    His leading men Ram Charan and Jr NTR wore black velvet bandhgalas with statement embroidery reminiscent of their characters in “RRR”.

    “The RRR at the #OSCARS!!! #Oscars95 #NaatuNaatu #RRRMovie,” the official Twitter page of “RRR” shared the pictures from the red carpet.

    (Photo | Upasana Kamineni Konidela Instagram)

    Charan — whose character Alluri Sitarama Raju was described as a soldier in the British Indian Army — sported a medal-like brooch on his bandhgala.

    ALSO READ | The Elephant Whisperers Interview: We wanted the indigenous people to have a voice

    He was accompanied by his wife and entrepreneur Upasana Konidela, who looked resplendent in white.

    Jr NTR’s sherwani celebrated the majestic tiger with whom his character Komaram Bheem has a face off in “RRR”.

    “RRR” (Rise Roar Revolt), a pre-independence fictional story, follows two real-life Indian revolutionaries Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan) and Komaram Bheem (Jr NTR) in the 1920s.

    Padukone, who will be presenting an award at the Oscars, channelled Hollywood icon Audrey Hepburn for her maiden appearance at the Academy Awards.

    She wore a custom Louis Vuitton black gown with matching satin gloves and completed her look with a statement neckpiece from Cartier. The Indian star tied her hair in a neat loose bun.

    (Photo | AP)”Naatu Naatu” singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava, who will perform the Telugu chartbuster at the Oscars stage, also walked the red carpet along with choreographer Prem Rakshith.

    Sipligunj wore a metallic grey kurta with cigarette pants and blingy white shoes, and Bhairava and Rakshith donned black attire.

    ALSO READ | ‘Naatu Naatu’ performance receives standing ovation at Oscars 2023

    Talking about the performing the Oscar-nominated track, Bhairava said they are grateful to the Academy for giving the singers an opportunity to perform “Naatu Naatu” on the stage.

    “It’s going to be fun. There’s going to be lots of dance and energy,” he told The Hollywood Reporter on the red carpet,” Bhairava said. 

    “‘RRR’ is very rooted in its nativity. The most beautiful part of the Oscars is that everyone comes and represents their culture and art forms,” she added.

    Kartiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga — “The Elephant Whisperers” director and producer duo — brought Indian colours to the red carpet.

    Monga opted for a bright traditional Benarasi saree in deep pink and Gonsalves chose a heavily embroidered floor-length dress.

    “Let’s Oscars @kartikigonsalves,” Monga posted on her Instagram Stories.

    The Tamil short documentary depicts an unbreakable bond between two abandoned elephants and their caretakers.

    LOS ANGELES: The team of “RRR” and Hindi film star Deepika Padukone led the Indian contingent at the red carpet of the 95th Oscars where India is vying for three trophies.

    This year, India-made productions have earned three nominations at the Academy Awards — “Naatu Naatu” has been shortlisted for Original Song, “All That Breathes” is in the running for Documentary Feature and “The Elephant Whisperers” for Documentary Short.

    “RRR” director SS Rajamouli represented the country at the global stage wearing a traditional dhoti with mauve-coloured silk kurta.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    His leading men Ram Charan and Jr NTR wore black velvet bandhgalas with statement embroidery reminiscent of their characters in “RRR”.

    “The RRR at the #OSCARS!!! #Oscars95 #NaatuNaatu #RRRMovie,” the official Twitter page of “RRR” shared the pictures from the red carpet.

    (Photo | Upasana Kamineni Konidela Instagram)

    Charan — whose character Alluri Sitarama Raju was described as a soldier in the British Indian Army — sported a medal-like brooch on his bandhgala.

    ALSO READ | The Elephant Whisperers Interview: We wanted the indigenous people to have a voice

    He was accompanied by his wife and entrepreneur Upasana Konidela, who looked resplendent in white.

    Jr NTR’s sherwani celebrated the majestic tiger with whom his character Komaram Bheem has a face off in “RRR”.

    “RRR” (Rise Roar Revolt), a pre-independence fictional story, follows two real-life Indian revolutionaries Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan) and Komaram Bheem (Jr NTR) in the 1920s.

    Padukone, who will be presenting an award at the Oscars, channelled Hollywood icon Audrey Hepburn for her maiden appearance at the Academy Awards.

    She wore a custom Louis Vuitton black gown with matching satin gloves and completed her look with a statement neckpiece from Cartier. The Indian star tied her hair in a neat loose bun.

    (Photo | AP)”Naatu Naatu” singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava, who will perform the Telugu chartbuster at the Oscars stage, also walked the red carpet along with choreographer Prem Rakshith.

    Sipligunj wore a metallic grey kurta with cigarette pants and blingy white shoes, and Bhairava and Rakshith donned black attire.

    ALSO READ | ‘Naatu Naatu’ performance receives standing ovation at Oscars 2023

    Talking about the performing the Oscar-nominated track, Bhairava said they are grateful to the Academy for giving the singers an opportunity to perform “Naatu Naatu” on the stage.

    “It’s going to be fun. There’s going to be lots of dance and energy,” he told The Hollywood Reporter on the red carpet,” Bhairava said. 

    “‘RRR’ is very rooted in its nativity. The most beautiful part of the Oscars is that everyone comes and represents their culture and art forms,” she added.

    Kartiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga — “The Elephant Whisperers” director and producer duo — brought Indian colours to the red carpet.

    Monga opted for a bright traditional Benarasi saree in deep pink and Gonsalves chose a heavily embroidered floor-length dress.

    “Let’s Oscars @kartikigonsalves,” Monga posted on her Instagram Stories.

    The Tamil short documentary depicts an unbreakable bond between two abandoned elephants and their caretakers.

  • India@Oscars: Deepika Padukone stuns in Louis Vuitton gown, team ‘RRR’ goes desi

    By PTI

    LOS ANGELES: The team of “RRR” and Hindi film star Deepika Padukone led the Indian contingent at the red carpet of the 95th Oscars where India is vying for three trophies.

    This year, India-made productions have earned three nominations at the Academy Awards — “Naatu Naatu” has been shortlisted for Original Song, “All That Breathes” is in the running for Documentary Feature and “The Elephant Whisperers” for Documentary Short.

    “RRR” director SS Rajamouli represented the country at the global stage wearing a traditional dhoti with mauve-coloured silk kurta.

    His leading men Ram Charan and Jr NTR wore black velvet bandhgalas with statement embroidery reminiscent of their characters in “RRR”.

    “The RRR at the #OSCARS!!! #Oscars95 #NaatuNaatu #RRRMovie,” the official Twitter page of “RRR” shared the pictures from the red carpet.

    (Photo | Upasana Kamineni Konidela Instagram)

    Charan — whose character Alluri Sitarama Raju was described as a soldier in the British Indian Army — sported a medal-like brooch on his bandhgala.

    ALSO READ | The Elephant Whisperers Interview: We wanted the indigenous people to have a voice

    He was accompanied by his wife and entrepreneur Upasana Konidela, who looked resplendent in white.

    Jr NTR’s sherwani celebrated the majestic tiger with whom his character Komaram Bheem has a face off in “RRR”.

    “RRR” (Rise Roar Revolt), a pre-independence fictional story, follows two real-life Indian revolutionaries Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan) and Komaram Bheem (Jr NTR) in the 1920s.

    Padukone, who will be presenting an award at the Oscars, channelled Hollywood icon Audrey Hepburn for her maiden appearance at the Academy Awards.

    She wore a custom Louis Vuitton black gown with matching satin gloves and completed her look with a statement neckpiece from Cartier. The Indian star tied her hair in a neat loose bun.

    (Photo | AP)”Naatu Naatu” singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava, who will perform the Telugu chartbuster at the Oscars stage, also walked the red carpet along with choreographer Prem Rakshith.

    Sipligunj wore a metallic grey kurta with cigarette pants and blingy white shoes, and Bhairava and Rakshith donned black attire.

    ALSO READ | ‘Naatu Naatu’ performance receives standing ovation at Oscars 2023

    Talking about the performing the Oscar-nominated track, Bhairava said they are grateful to the Academy for giving the singers an opportunity to perform “Naatu Naatu” on the stage.

    “It’s going to be fun. There’s going to be lots of dance and energy,” he told The Hollywood Reporter on the red carpet,” Bhairava said. 

    “‘RRR’ is very rooted in its nativity. The most beautiful part of the Oscars is that everyone comes and represents their culture and art forms,” she added.

    Kartiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga — “The Elephant Whisperers” director and producer duo — brought Indian colours to the red carpet.

    Monga opted for a bright traditional Benarasi saree in deep pink and Gonsalves chose a heavily embroidered floor-length dress.

    “Let’s Oscars @kartikigonsalves,” Monga posted on her Instagram Stories.

    The Tamil short documentary depicts an unbreakable bond between two abandoned elephants and their caretakers.

    LOS ANGELES: The team of “RRR” and Hindi film star Deepika Padukone led the Indian contingent at the red carpet of the 95th Oscars where India is vying for three trophies.

    This year, India-made productions have earned three nominations at the Academy Awards — “Naatu Naatu” has been shortlisted for Original Song, “All That Breathes” is in the running for Documentary Feature and “The Elephant Whisperers” for Documentary Short.

    “RRR” director SS Rajamouli represented the country at the global stage wearing a traditional dhoti with mauve-coloured silk kurta.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    His leading men Ram Charan and Jr NTR wore black velvet bandhgalas with statement embroidery reminiscent of their characters in “RRR”.

    “The RRR at the #OSCARS!!! #Oscars95 #NaatuNaatu #RRRMovie,” the official Twitter page of “RRR” shared the pictures from the red carpet.

    (Photo | Upasana Kamineni Konidela Instagram)

    Charan — whose character Alluri Sitarama Raju was described as a soldier in the British Indian Army — sported a medal-like brooch on his bandhgala.

    ALSO READ | The Elephant Whisperers Interview: We wanted the indigenous people to have a voice

    He was accompanied by his wife and entrepreneur Upasana Konidela, who looked resplendent in white.

    Jr NTR’s sherwani celebrated the majestic tiger with whom his character Komaram Bheem has a face off in “RRR”.

    “RRR” (Rise Roar Revolt), a pre-independence fictional story, follows two real-life Indian revolutionaries Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan) and Komaram Bheem (Jr NTR) in the 1920s.

    Padukone, who will be presenting an award at the Oscars, channelled Hollywood icon Audrey Hepburn for her maiden appearance at the Academy Awards.

    She wore a custom Louis Vuitton black gown with matching satin gloves and completed her look with a statement neckpiece from Cartier. The Indian star tied her hair in a neat loose bun.

    (Photo | AP)”Naatu Naatu” singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava, who will perform the Telugu chartbuster at the Oscars stage, also walked the red carpet along with choreographer Prem Rakshith.

    Sipligunj wore a metallic grey kurta with cigarette pants and blingy white shoes, and Bhairava and Rakshith donned black attire.

    ALSO READ | ‘Naatu Naatu’ performance receives standing ovation at Oscars 2023

    Talking about the performing the Oscar-nominated track, Bhairava said they are grateful to the Academy for giving the singers an opportunity to perform “Naatu Naatu” on the stage.

    “It’s going to be fun. There’s going to be lots of dance and energy,” he told The Hollywood Reporter on the red carpet,” Bhairava said. 

    “‘RRR’ is very rooted in its nativity. The most beautiful part of the Oscars is that everyone comes and represents their culture and art forms,” she added.

    Kartiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga — “The Elephant Whisperers” director and producer duo — brought Indian colours to the red carpet.

    Monga opted for a bright traditional Benarasi saree in deep pink and Gonsalves chose a heavily embroidered floor-length dress.

    “Let’s Oscars @kartikigonsalves,” Monga posted on her Instagram Stories.

    The Tamil short documentary depicts an unbreakable bond between two abandoned elephants and their caretakers.

  • Hollywood’s Asian stars welcome ‘long overdue’ breakthrough at Oscars

    By AFP

    LOS ANGELES: From Oscars favourites “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and “RRR” to an unprecedented four acting nominations, Asian representation in Hollywood has finally achieved a remarkable and overdue breakthrough this year, industry insiders say.

    Among many records tumbling this awards season, Malaysian “Everything Everywhere” star Michelle Yeoh is only the second Asian best actress nominee in 95 years of Oscars history, with a strong chance of becoming the first winner Sunday.

    Only four Asian actors have ever won Oscars. That is the same number nominated this year alone, including Yeoh’s co-stars Ke Huy Quan and Stephanie Hsu, and Hong Chau of “The Whale.”

    Then there is India’s all-singing, all-dancing “RRR,” heavily tipped to win best original song, and Nobel literature laureate Kazuo Ishiguro’s nominated screenplay for “Living.”

    Behind the camera, best picture frontrunner “Everything Everywhere” — a $100 million box office hit with 11 Oscar nominations — has an Asian co-director, Daniel Kwan, and an Asian producer, Jonathan Wang.

    “There’s something really beautiful about being able to show that if you put people in these roles, people will go see it,” Wang told AFP.

    “Why is it only white characters who go on the fun adventures, but Asian and Black characters and Latino characters have to experience the suffering? It’s time to flip that on its head. And people are going to run to the box office.”

    ALSO READ| ‘Larger than life’: Film-maker Rajamouli shoots for Oscar fame

    It is all a far cry from Hollywood’s past. At the recent Screen Actors Guild awards, James Hong, the 94-year-old veteran who appears in “Everything Everywhere,” reflected on how white actors with “their eyes taped up” once played leading Asian roles because producers thought “the Asians are not good enough and they are not box office.”

    “But look at us now,” he said, to a huge ovation.

    ‘Long overdue’

    Back in 1965, Hong co-founded the East West Players, a Los Angeles theatre group created to boost the visibility of Asian American actors and issues. The company has welcomed this year’s diverse Oscar nominations, which artistic director Snehal Desai says are “much appreciated and long overdue.”

    “These are artists who have been doing this work for decades. We are glad for the visibility and recognition, but it really should not have taken this long,” he said.

    Vietnam-born Quan, a major child star in the 1980s with “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” and “The Goonies,” all but abandoned acting for decades due to a lack of roles. “Quan’s story of his prolonged absence from the industry, in particular, strikes a resonant chord for our community, as we continue to fight for more opportunities and quality representation,” the group said in a statement.

    ALSO READ | Oscar Predictions: Will ‘Everything’ take everything?

    Kristina Wong, an actor and comedian currently appearing in a one-woman show co-produced by East West Players, said she had been driven to write her own productions because it was the only way to see “weird” immigrant stories told. “It is either this or sit around and audition for bubble gum commercials,” she told AFP.

    “I’ve done that life. And it sucks. It’s not fulfilling creatively. There is still a lack of opportunities in general,” said Wong.

    But with her “Kristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord” a Pulitzer drama finalist, and “Everything Everywhere” racking up awards and box office receipts, “I think we’re ready” for new stories, she said. “We’ve been seeing the same tired old stories about… this white guy action hero, going ‘I’m going to fix this with a gun.’”

    “It’s made me excited, thinking maybe there’s an audience ready to be challenged.”

    ‘Pull the ladder’

    Still, Asian success at the Oscars has remained limited to a tiny group. Just 23 Asian actors’ performances have ever been nominated, representing a mere 1.2 per cent of all nominations, according to a New York Times study. Only Ben Kingsley, whose father was Indian, has been nominated more than once. And there has never been a year in which more than one Asian actor won.

    ALSO READ | Oscar-bound short film lifts veil on Iranian women rejecting male domination

    Could this be the year representation goes beyond a few, specific individuals?

    South Korea-born Joel Kim Booster, who wrote and starred in gay rom-com “Fire Island,” said having his work championed by two Asian executives at Disney-owned Searchlight had “really pushed this project through and made sure that it was going to get made.”

    “For a long time, there was this pull-the-ladder-up-behind-me mentality” among many minorities who found success in Hollywood, he told AFP.

    “There was a scarcity… a mentality of ‘there’s only room for one of us at the table and that’s going to be me.’ I think that has dissipated in a big way.”

    LOS ANGELES: From Oscars favourites “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and “RRR” to an unprecedented four acting nominations, Asian representation in Hollywood has finally achieved a remarkable and overdue breakthrough this year, industry insiders say.

    Among many records tumbling this awards season, Malaysian “Everything Everywhere” star Michelle Yeoh is only the second Asian best actress nominee in 95 years of Oscars history, with a strong chance of becoming the first winner Sunday.

    Only four Asian actors have ever won Oscars. That is the same number nominated this year alone, including Yeoh’s co-stars Ke Huy Quan and Stephanie Hsu, and Hong Chau of “The Whale.”googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Then there is India’s all-singing, all-dancing “RRR,” heavily tipped to win best original song, and Nobel literature laureate Kazuo Ishiguro’s nominated screenplay for “Living.”

    Behind the camera, best picture frontrunner “Everything Everywhere” — a $100 million box office hit with 11 Oscar nominations — has an Asian co-director, Daniel Kwan, and an Asian producer, Jonathan Wang.

    “There’s something really beautiful about being able to show that if you put people in these roles, people will go see it,” Wang told AFP.

    “Why is it only white characters who go on the fun adventures, but Asian and Black characters and Latino characters have to experience the suffering? It’s time to flip that on its head. And people are going to run to the box office.”

    ALSO READ| ‘Larger than life’: Film-maker Rajamouli shoots for Oscar fame

    It is all a far cry from Hollywood’s past. At the recent Screen Actors Guild awards, James Hong, the 94-year-old veteran who appears in “Everything Everywhere,” reflected on how white actors with “their eyes taped up” once played leading Asian roles because producers thought “the Asians are not good enough and they are not box office.”

    “But look at us now,” he said, to a huge ovation.

    ‘Long overdue’

    Back in 1965, Hong co-founded the East West Players, a Los Angeles theatre group created to boost the visibility of Asian American actors and issues. The company has welcomed this year’s diverse Oscar nominations, which artistic director Snehal Desai says are “much appreciated and long overdue.”

    “These are artists who have been doing this work for decades. We are glad for the visibility and recognition, but it really should not have taken this long,” he said.

    Vietnam-born Quan, a major child star in the 1980s with “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” and “The Goonies,” all but abandoned acting for decades due to a lack of roles. “Quan’s story of his prolonged absence from the industry, in particular, strikes a resonant chord for our community, as we continue to fight for more opportunities and quality representation,” the group said in a statement.

    ALSO READ | Oscar Predictions: Will ‘Everything’ take everything?

    Kristina Wong, an actor and comedian currently appearing in a one-woman show co-produced by East West Players, said she had been driven to write her own productions because it was the only way to see “weird” immigrant stories told. “It is either this or sit around and audition for bubble gum commercials,” she told AFP.

    “I’ve done that life. And it sucks. It’s not fulfilling creatively. There is still a lack of opportunities in general,” said Wong.

    But with her “Kristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord” a Pulitzer drama finalist, and “Everything Everywhere” racking up awards and box office receipts, “I think we’re ready” for new stories, she said. “We’ve been seeing the same tired old stories about… this white guy action hero, going ‘I’m going to fix this with a gun.’”

    “It’s made me excited, thinking maybe there’s an audience ready to be challenged.”

    ‘Pull the ladder’

    Still, Asian success at the Oscars has remained limited to a tiny group. Just 23 Asian actors’ performances have ever been nominated, representing a mere 1.2 per cent of all nominations, according to a New York Times study. Only Ben Kingsley, whose father was Indian, has been nominated more than once. And there has never been a year in which more than one Asian actor won.

    ALSO READ | Oscar-bound short film lifts veil on Iranian women rejecting male domination

    Could this be the year representation goes beyond a few, specific individuals?

    South Korea-born Joel Kim Booster, who wrote and starred in gay rom-com “Fire Island,” said having his work championed by two Asian executives at Disney-owned Searchlight had “really pushed this project through and made sure that it was going to get made.”

    “For a long time, there was this pull-the-ladder-up-behind-me mentality” among many minorities who found success in Hollywood, he told AFP.

    “There was a scarcity… a mentality of ‘there’s only room for one of us at the table and that’s going to be me.’ I think that has dissipated in a big way.”