Published By: Sayan Paul

'Naatu Naatu' and the Oscar Debate - Here's Why It Was Absolutely Well-Deserved

Did 'Naatu Naatu' truly deserve the Oscar, or was it all because of the hype? Let’s understand.

Oscars 2025 is almost here, and while India doesn’t have a film in the race this year, it’s the perfect time to look back at our journey at the prestigious award show. Back in 2023, 'Naatu Naatu' (from SS Rajamouli’s epic, 'RRR') winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song took the world by storm - a moment that's still etched in our memory. However, it also sparked a debate, especially among Indians, over whether the song truly deserved the honor or not. While many celebrated the historic win, some felt 'Naatu Naatu' lacked the merit - whether technically or aesthetically - to win the Oscar, and owed its victory to the hype that it had generated internationally. Yes, there’s absolutely no denying that the Academy Awards are more about marketing than art, and 'Naatu Naatu' had an edge in that regard. But was it really all just hype, or did the song genuinely deserve the award? Let’s discuss.

‘Naatu Naatu’ composer MM Keeravani and writer Chandrabose accepting the Oscar for Best Original Song

First of All – The Best Original Song at the Oscars Doesn’t Have to Be the Best Song

The primary argument against Naatu Naatu's Oscar win was that it's not the best song from India. Besides that, it’s not even composer MM Keeravani’s finest work - his portfolio consists of several songs that are more beautiful. But the thing is that winning the Best Original Song award at the Oscars doesn’t mean it’s the greatest song of all time. In fact, no award anywhere guarantees that. It simply means that this particular thing was at the right place at the right time, with everything working perfectly in its favor.

Take Rabindranath Tagore, for example - he won the Nobel Prize in Literature for 'Gitanjali', but does that mean it’s his absolute best work? Not necessarily. Similarly, Bong Joon Ho’s 'Parasite' won the Best Picture award at the 92nd Academy Awards, but ask any cinephile, and they’ll likely tell you that his finest work is 'Memories of Murder'. The same goes for Christopher Nolan who won big for 'Oppenheimer' and not 'Interstellar'.

(Credit: Lahari Music | T-Series)

That’s just how awards work. And hence, the argument is irrelevant.

But Still... 'Naatu Naatu' is a Great Song

When it comes to award-winning songs, we usually think about classical music, soothing melodies, or soul-stirring lyrics. There’s a common bias - especially among critics - that anything mainstream or made for the masses lacks artistic merit. But that’s simply not true.

'Naatu Naatu' wasn’t a soothing melody like its fellow nominees, 'Lift Me Up', 'Applause', 'Hold My Hand', and 'This Is A Life' - but it was never meant to be.

The song, composed by MM Keeravani and penned by Chandrabose, is an adrenaline-fueled phenomenon (thanks to its high BPM - Beats Per Minute) that instantly makes you groove to its tune. It beautifully blends traditional South Indian folk music elements with modern film sounds. Whether it's the use of dhol, the mridangam-inspired beats, or the clapping percussion - it perfectly captures the soul of Indian music. On the other hand, it also has a cross-genre fusion, making it palatable for the international audience.

And more than just a song, 'Naatu Naatu' is a wholesome performance in every sense. The choreography is spectacular, with Ram Charan and Jr. NTR delivering electrifying performances like no other. Their moves, footwork, and expressions are synchronized in a way that never allows one performer to overshadow the other. Adding to the magic is the phenomenal production design - the grand setup, the vibrant costumes, and the brilliant cinematography all work together to make it impossible for you to take your eyes off, even for a second.

(Credit: The Academy)

And Finally, It Sums Up the Entire Film

Now let's come to the most important part - as far as the Academy Award for Best Original Song is concerned, it's more about how the song fits into the film than its musical brilliance. And in that sense, 'Naatu Naatu' was inarguably the most deserving one for the award among all the nominees that year.

The song-and-dance sequence - in its around 10-minute duration overall - sums up the entire story of 'RRR'. Here, one friend steps in to support the other, they unite, fight the British together, and eventually win. As Grammy Award-winning Indian music composer Ricky Kej said in an interview, "... Simply because if you look at it from a song perspective, it showcases everything that the film is about. It's about friendship, and it's about sacrifice, because, in the end, one friend sacrifices the victory for the other."

(Credit: Oscars)

Well, that’s the brilliance of 'Naatu Naatu' - the very reason it bagged the coveted award. This song is storytelling at its best; so powerful that it doesn’t just remain a part of a film. It is, in Martin Scorsese’s words, "absolute cinema"