Making history: 'RRR', 'The Elephant Whisperers' mark debut wins for Indian films

Two productions from the neighbouring country won awards at Academy Awards 2023

LOS ANGELES:

Indians erupted in celebration on Monday after Naatu Naatu, the breakout hit from the action movie RRR, won the Academy Award for best original song, making history as the first movie from the country to win the honour. The song - a fast-paced number that has found fans all over the world, spawned a TikTok challenge and has millions of views on YouTube - won a standing ovation when it was performed at the 95th Academy Awards on Sunday night.

Indians had won Oscars previously, but no Indian film had won an Academy Award before Sunday night in Los Angles. RRR and The Elephant Whisperers, which won best documentary short film, gave the country two Oscar-winning films in one night.

Congratulations to @EarthSpectrum, @guneetm and the entire team of ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ for this honour. Their work wonderfully highlights the importance of sustainable development and living in harmony with nature. #Oscars https://t.co/S3J9TbJ0OP

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 13, 2023

"No words can describe this surreal moment. Dedicating this to all our amazing fans across the world. Thank you," the Twitter account for RRR posted.

We’re blessed that #RRRMovie is the first feature film to bring INDIA's first ever #Oscar in the Best Song Category with #NaatuNaatu! 💪🏻

No words can describe this surreal moment. 🙏🏻

Dedicating this to all our amazing fans across the world. THANK YOU!! ❤️❤️❤️

JAI HIND!🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/9g5izBCUks

— RRR Movie (@RRRMovie) March 13, 2023

Television showed images of people dancing to the song in the streets, minutes after the award was announced, even as #NaatuNaatu was a top trend on Twitter. "The popularity of Naatu Naatu is global. It will be a song that will be remembered for years to come," Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on Twitter, congratulating the team behind the song.

Exceptional!

The popularity of ‘Naatu Naatu’ is global. It will be a song that will be remembered for years to come. Congratulations to @mmkeeravaani, @boselyricist and the entire team for this prestigious honour.

India is elated and proud. #Oscars https://t.co/cANG5wHROt

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 13, 2023

"Entire India is proud. They have brought India to the world stage," singer Prudhvi Chandra, one of the singers of Naatu Naatu, told the India Today news channel.

At the Oscars, composer M M Keeravani burst into song while accepting the award on stage, along with songwriter Chandrabose. "I feel this is about just the beginning of everything so that the world ‑ particularly the Western World ‑ focuses more on Indian music and Asian music, which is long due," Keeravani said backstage after winning the award. The Elephant Whisperers is about a couple in South India who adopt a baby elephant and care for him.