Why Indian Cinema Is Going Global: Lessons from Naatu Naatu’s Oscar
In March 2023, Naatu Naatu from RRR won the Oscar for Best Original Song. Here is why Indian cinema is reaching the world, and what that historic night really meant.
I watched the news of the 95th Academy Awards on my phone early on the morning of March 13, 2023 India time. When “Naatu Naatu” was announced as the winner of Best Original Song, my family and I cheered like it was a last-ball six in a cricket final.
That moment was not just about one song. It was a sign that Indian cinema had truly arrived on the world stage.
🏆 What Happened That Night
“Naatu Naatu”, from S. S. Rajamouli’s Telugu film RRR, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the ceremony held on March 12, 2023 in Los Angeles. The music was composed by M. M. Keeravani, with lyrics by Chandrabose. It was sung by Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava, and the energetic dance was choreographed by Prem Rakshith.
Earlier, in January 2023, the song had won the Golden Globe for Best Original Song — the first Indian song to do so. On the same Oscar night, The Elephant Whisperers, a documentary set in Tamil Nadu’s Mudumalai National Park, won Best Documentary Short Film. A double celebration for India!
Fun fact: the song was shot in Kyiv, Ukraine, in front of the Mariinskyi Palace, in August 2021.
🌍 Not the First, But a Turning Point
India has had global moments before. Bhanu Athaiya won an Oscar for costume design for Gandhi. Satyajit Ray received an Honorary Oscar. A. R. Rahman won two Oscars for Slumdog Millionaire (read his journey here), along with Resul Pookutty for sound mixing and Gulzar for the lyrics of “Jai Ho”.
What made “Naatu Naatu” different was that it came from an Indian film made for Indian audiences, in an Indian language. The world came to our film, instead of us going to theirs.
🚀 Why Indian Cinema Is Travelling Further
- Streaming platforms put Indian films in front of viewers in many countries with subtitles. (See how OTT changed viewing.)
- The Indian diaspora carries our films to theatres abroad.
- Social media lets a song or dance go viral worldwide in days.
- Confidence in our own style. Songs, emotion, mythology and big drama are no longer seen as weaknesses but as our unique flavour.
- Technical quality — VFX, sound and cinematography now match international standards.
🎶 Why the World Loved This Song
You don’t need to understand Telugu to feel “Naatu Naatu”. The rhythm is infectious, the dance is joyful and the story behind it — friendship and pride — comes through clearly. Music and movement are universal languages. That is a lesson for all creators: emotion travels further than words.
“When a story is truly ours and told with full heart, it can belong to the whole world.”
It also changed how many young Indians see their own culture. Children all over the country tried the hook step at school functions and weddings. When the world celebrates something of ours, we start to value it more ourselves.
💡 Lessons for All of Us
- Be proud of your roots. Authenticity is more attractive than imitation.
- Aim high. The team campaigned hard for international recognition and believed it was possible.
- Teamwork wins. A song is the work of composer, lyricist, singers, dancers, choreographer and director together.
✨ Takeaway
“Naatu Naatu” reminded us that Indian cinema doesn’t need to change its colours to be noticed. If you want to follow the next awards season live, my time zone converter will tell you exactly when to wake up!
Software engineer by skill, storyteller by soul. I write about life, health, money and technology from my own experience — and build free tools you can use every day.
