The action movie RRR, directed by S.S. Rajamouli and made in the South Indian language of Telugu, has made history as the first Indian film to win an Academy Award. The film’s breakout hit ‘Naatu Naatu’ won the award for best original song at the 95th Academy Awards on Sunday night, receiving a standing ovation during the ceremony.
The story of RRR
RRR tells the story of two Indian leads played by Ram Charan and N.T. Rama Rao Jr. who are bullied at a British party in colonial times. The film follows their decision to educate a young British man who insults them with racist remarks, using the song ‘Naatu Naatu’ which everyone at the party tries to master.
Double win for India
The Elephant Whisperers, a documentary short film about a couple in South India who adopt a baby elephant, also won an Academy Award for best documentary short film. This double win for India at the 95th Academy Awards marks a significant moment for Indian cinema, which the Western world has long overlooked.
Celebrations across India
Indians around the world celebrated the wins, with images of people dancing to the song in the streets shown on television and #NaatuNaatu trending on Twitter. The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, posted on Twitter congratulating the team behind the song.
Importance of diversity and representation
The win for RRR and The Elephant Whisperers highlights the importance of diversity and representation in the film industry. This win will encourage more filmmakers to tell stories that reflect the diversity of our world.
Power of social media and digital platforms
The success of ‘Naatu Naatu’ is a testament to the power of social media and digital platforms in promoting music and movies. The song’s popularity on TikTok and YouTube helped to create a global fanbase, and its win at the Oscars is sure to boost the careers of everyone involved in the film. To read more click here.
Future of Indian cinema
This win for RRR and ‘Naatu Naatu could inspire other filmmakers in India to take a similar approach in using social media and digital platforms to promote movies. The win puts India on the map as a serious contender in the global film industry.
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