“Jump until the dust rises in the air! Naatu Naatu Naatu!“
These words, spoken during the spectacular “Naatu Naatu” number of the epic Indian blockbuster “RRR”, have reached the ears of the public and have caused dancing in theaters from Chennai to Hollywood. And now those words are part of Oscars history, as “Naatu Naatu” has become the first Best Original Song nominee from an Indian film.
“I have seen so many people get carried away by the emotion of the song. It’s a frenzy,” “RRR” composer MM Keeravaani told TheWrap. “Seeing so many people going to the front of the theater to dance, clap and stomp on the song is like winning an award.”
Written by Keeravaani with lyrics by Chandrabose, “Naatu Naatu” was an immediate hit in India when it was released even before “RRR” was released in theaters in November 2021 with the official lyric video accumulating 143 million views on YouTube.
But once the film was released, it became a cultural sensation, with fans of lead stars Ram Charan and NT Rama Rao Jr. throwing confetti and dancing in theaters while the couple danced to the rhythm of “Naatu Naatu”. As the film gained a cult following in Hollywood, screenings of the film also turned into a huge party when “Naatu Naatu” started playing.
Keeravaani composed seven songs for “RRR,” each key to advance the film’s epic story, an alternate story that imagines what would have happened if famed revolutionaries Rama Raju and Komaram Bheem had met during the British Raj in the 1980s. 1920s. Ram and Bheem become the best of friends as they secretly advance their plans against Britain’s imperial rule, unaware that their conspiracy is leading them on a collision course that could destroy the bond they have formed.
Those stakes turn into songs with “Dosti,” a Keeravaani number played after Rama and Bheem first meet and save a boy from a train wreck. Keeravaani gives the song a simple, rhythmic chant befitting the larger-than-life nature of the film’s leads while expressing fear of what is to come, as Rama does not yet know the Gond warrior he is dealing with. to capture to win the favor of the British is none other than Bheem.
To capture those emotions, Keeravaani says he was inspired by his own fear of flying and connected the mixed emotions he feels when he gets on a plane with what he wants the audience to feel while playing “Dosti.”
“While writing it, I envisioned myself on a 16-hour flight from Dubai to Los Angeles. Even when I am flying high in the sky and enjoying the view from the window, I still have this sense of danger due to my phobia of flying,” she said. “So I came up with this slow, rhythmic theme for ‘Dosti’ that feels like a sleeping volcano, and you can feel the lava inside, churning and churning, just like this friendship between these two men is going to lead to a battle. of treason.”
Keeravaani is on a shortlist of nominees featuring some of the world’s biggest pop stars, including Lady Gaga, who is nominated for the “Top Gun: Maverick” song “Hold My Hand,” and Rihanna for “Black Panther: Wakanda.” Forever”. ” song “Get me up”. David Byrne and Diane Warren are also nominated for their songs “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and “Tell it Like a Woman.”
But there’s a chance that “Naatu Naatu” could beat them all, as Keeravaani has already clinched a Golden Globes win and captured Hollywood’s attention with its infectious and upbeat tune. And regardless of whether it wins, there’s now a very good chance that the song will be performed live on the Dolby Theater stage during the Oscars telecast.
“For me, ‘Naatu Naatu’ is not just a song. It’s a complete package of emotions,” Keeravaani said. “This nomination is an achievement for the entire team, from [director] HH Rajamouli to the artists and crew and all my music team. I’m like a spokesperson for all of them.”