'RRR' Wins Oscar For Best Original Song
"Naatu Naatu" from RRR was named Best Original Song at the 95th Academy Awards, which were handed out in Hollywood on Sunday.
The award was presented to composer M. M. Keeravani and lyricist Chandrabose.
Keeravani said he grew up listening to the Carpenters – and then sang a few customized lyrics to the tune of the sibling duo’s 1972 hit “Top of the World.”
In January, "Naatu Naatu" won Best Original Song at the 80th Golden Globe Awards and at the Critics Choice Awards. Written by M.M. Keeravani and Chandrabose, the Telugu-language song features the vocals of Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava (though it’s performed by actors Ram Charan and N. T. Rama Rao Jr. in the film).
The colourful and energetic performance of “Naatu Naatu” earlier in the Oscars broadcast earned a standing ovation.
The track beat out Rihanna's "Lift Me Up" from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Lady Gaga's "Hold My Hand" from Top Gun: Maverick as well as "This Is A Life" from Everything Everywhere All at Once and "Applause" from Tell It Like a Woman.
The five nominated songs were chosen from a shortlist of 15 that was unveiled in December. According to the Academy, 81 songs were eligible this year.
Last year, Billie Eilish and Finneas won for the title track to No Time To Die. H.E.R. took the award in 2021 for “Fight For You” from Judas and the Black Messiah and Elton John got it the previous year for “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” from Rocketman.
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Lady Gaga, who producers had said would not perform on the show, turned up afterall and delivered a stripped down version of her nominated song. Rihanna was also there to perform "Lift Me Up" and David Byrne performed "This Is A Life" from Everything Everywhere All at Once with Stephanie Hsu.
Lenny Kravitz performed his 2004 song "Calling All Angels" for the In Memoriam segment.
The Oscar for Best Original Score went to Volker Bertelsmann for All Quiet on the Western Front. The German pianist and composer, who performs as Hauschka, also won Best Original Music at the BAFTAs last month. He was previously nominated for an Oscar for his work (with Dustin O'Halloran) on the score of 2016's Lion.
BEST ORIGINAL SONG
"Lift Me Up" from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - Ludwig Göransson, Robyn Fenty, Ryan Coogler, Temilade Openiyi
"This Is A Life" from Everything Everywhere All at Once - Ryan Lott, David Byrne, Mitski
"Naatu Naatu" from RRR - M. M. Keeravani, Chandrabose *WINNER
"Applause" from Tell It like a Woman - Diane Warren
"Hold My Hand" from Top Gun: Maverick - Lady Gaga, BloodPop
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
All Quiet on the Western Front - Volker Bertelsmann *WINNER
Babylon - Justin Hurtwitz
The Banshees of Inisherin - Carter Burwell
Everything Everywhere All At Once - Son Lux
The Fabelmans - John Williams
