'Naatu Naatu' pips Taylor Swift, Rihanna and Lady Gaga to win Golden Globe honour

HYDERABAD: A grand idea meticulously developed as a huge spectacle on the screen earned the film 'RRR' a big award in the global arena on Wednesday. The Telugu film, directed by SS Rajamouli of 'Bahubali' fame bagged the Best Original Song award for 'Naatu Naatu', starring actors Jr NTR and Ram Charan, at the 80th Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California.
'Naatu Naatu' beat the likes of Taylor Swift's 'Carolina' from the movie 'Where The Crawdads Sing', Rihanna's 'Lift Me Up' song from 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever', and Lady Gaga's 'Hold My Hand' song from the film 'Top Gun: Maverick', among others.
Music director MM Keeravani and lyricist Chandrabose were the winners of the award. Keeravani received the award at the ceremony, which was attended by the 'RRR' team. The film also got a nomination for the Best Non-English Language Film award but lost to the Argentinian film 'Argentina, 1985'.
This is the first time that a Telugu film has won recognition at the Golden Globes. "India. This is the best news to wake up to," the RRR movie team tweeted after the award was announced. 'Naatu Naatu' has become the first Asian song to win a Golden Globe award, it said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the RRR team for the achievement. "A very special accomplishment! Compliments to M M Keeravani, Prem Rakshith, Kaala Bhairava, Chandrabose and Rahul Sipligunj," Modi tweeted. He also congratulated Rajamouli, actors Jr NTR and Ram Charan and the movie team. "The prestigious honour has made every Indian very proud," he said.
Speaking at the ceremony, Keeravani said the credit for the award rightfully belongs to Rajamouli. "I am very happy to share this excitement with my wife who is sitting right there," Keeravani said, pointing to MM Srivalli in the audience.
Keeravani said, “It has been an age-old practice to say that this award belongs to someone else. I was planning not to say those words when I get an award like this. But I am going to repeat the tradition because I mean my words. This award belongs to, in order of priority, my brother and director of the movie Rajamouli for his vision.”
Rajamouli later tweeted: “SPEECHLESS. Music truly knows no boundaries. Congratulations and thank you PEDDANAA for giving me Naatu Naatu. This one is special. I thank each and every fan across the globe for shaking their leg.” Warangal-born lyricist Chandrabose was ecstatic.
He said, “I never imagined that the song would get such a big award though I wished it did.” The song was sung by Rahul Sipligunj with Kaala Bhairava. “I’ve danced to many songs but Naatu Naatu will forever stay close to my heart,” Jr NTR said. In typical Telangana language, Sipligunj put out a post saying “Kotteshnammmm kaaakaaaa (We’ve grabbed it!). What a moment!” “The world is Naatufieddd (sic),” Bhairava, who also sang the song, said on Twitter