Shortlisting for the pictorial “Naatu Naatu” on Ram Charan and Jr NTR’s “RRR” for the Oscar in the Best Original Song category marked another major achievement for SS Rajamouli’s epic adventure film.
The fast-paced “Naatu Naatu”, written by MM Keeravani, sung by Kala Bhairava and Rahul Sipligunj, earned him a Golden Globe nomination. Keravani also received the Best Music Director award from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association.
Also shortlisted were Chhello Show (The Last Show), a Gujarati film by Pan Nalin that was selected as India’s official entry for the Academy Awards, in the Best International Fiction category, and Shaunak Sen’s documentary All That Breathes, which won an award at the Film Festival. It was earlier this year.
Being on the Oscars shortlists, which are released in stages, is not the same as being nominated.
The shortlist for “Naatu Naatu” came hours after “RRR” received nominations for two other global awards. The film was nominated for the London Critics Circle Awards in the Foreign Language Film of the Year and Technical Achievement (Thrillers) categories. The film received two 2023 Golden Globe nominations.
“RRR” has only been shortlisted for 1 out of 10 categories announced so far, however, and it has been a disappointment to some in Tollywood. The epic film was expected to make the final cut on the visual effects and shortlists of the original score.
The film is now still in the running for the two most prestigious categories – Best Picture and Best Director (Rajamouli was honored in this slot by the New York Film Critics Circle). Shortlisting in these categories, along with 11 others, will take place over the next few days.
The official headline of ‘RRR Movie’ tweeted that ‘Naatu Naatu’ is the first Indian song to be shortlisted for the Oscars. The tweet added, “Thank you all for supporting us throughout our journey.”
The Oscar nominations will be announced on January 24. The 95th Academy Awards will take place on March 12, 2023 at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.
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