Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that India was “overjoyed and proud” that two Indian films won Oscars on a historic night for Asian productions.
Naatu Naatu from indian film RRR won the Oscar for Best Original Song and The Elephant Whisperers, for Best Short Documentary. the impetuous Naatu Naatu (“dance, dance”) from the high-octane action flick, was the competition favorite. He had already won the Golden Globe for best song in January.
“Naatu Naatu’s popularity is worldwide. This will be a song that will be remembered for years to come”said Narendra Modi on Twitter, “congratulations to @mmkeeravaani , @boselyricist and the whole team for this prestigious honor. India is ecstatic and proud”.
The song is the first from an Indian production to win an Oscar. Among the nominees in this category were hold my hand by Lady Gaga for Top Gun: Maverick by Lady Gaga and Lift Me Up by Rihanna for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever by Rihanna.
According to SS Rajamouli, director of RRR, the frantic sequence of Naatu Naatu was filmed outside the official residence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in 2021, before Russia invaded his country.
Produced last March by South India’s Telugu-language film industry, the film has met with huge word-of-mouth success, both in India and abroad where viewers have not resisted. to start dancing in the aisles of cinemas.
Favorite of the competition and the first Indian song to ever win an Oscar, Naatu Naatu had already been awarded a Golden Globe in January. RRR tells the story of two colonial-era revolutionaries and echoes Hindu mythology, offering action scenes galore.
“Historical”
Narendra Modi also praised director Kartiki Gonsalves and producer Guneet Monga for their documentary The Elephant Whispererswhich takes place in Mudumalai National Park in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.
“Their work wonderfully highlights the importance of sustainability and living in harmony with nature”, pointed out Narendra Modi on Twitter. The film tells the story of an orphan baby elephant, Raghu, entrusted to Bomman and Bellie, an indigenous couple, celebrating the bond that develops between them, along with the beauty of nature.
“Tonight is historic because it’s the first Oscar for an Indian production”rejoiced Guneet Monga on Twitter.