“RRR” Earns Historic Best Original Song Oscar Nomination But Is Left Out Of Other Big Races

SS Rajamouli’s Indian Epic RRR received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song “Naatu Naatu” this morning but, despite strong campaigns and an outpouring of support, missed out on the other major categories.

With music by MM Keeravaani and lyrics by Chandrabose, “Naatu Naatu” had people dancing in the corridors for months and was considered a shoo-in for an Academy twist. The song previously won top honors at the Critics Choice Awards and the Golden Globes and was the first song from an Indian film to be nominated for an Oscar. (Indian composer AR Rahman was previously recognized for his work on Best Original Song and Best Original Score Slumdog Millionaire it was a British production).

After winning the New York Film Critics Circle for Best Director and with Rajamouli making the rounds and charming during screenings and Q&A for Academy and Guild members, it looked like there was potential for more Oscar nominations.

Then a few eyebrows were raised RRR, The fictional story of real Indian freedom fighters, which was a huge box office success at home and also spilled over to American audiences, grossing more than US$155 million worldwide, was not selected for India’s best international film Oscar entry. Instead, the country voted Last show which, despite being shortlisted in that category, failed today. With no disrespect to this film, in retrospect it seems even more regrettable that India didn’t act RRR.

Still, Rajamouli and his growing fan base should not be deterred by the global impact RRR which widened the playing field for the Telegu cinema. The director is soon to direct a film with Mahesh Babu and previously told Deadline that his father is developing an idea for a film. RRR Continued with the same characters.