At the Critics Choice Awards (CCA) in this city, SS Rajamouli’s “RRR” continued its winning streak by taking home two awards for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Song for “Naatu Naatu.”
The Ram Charan and Jr. NTR-starring Telugu epic received nominations from the CCA in five categories: Best Picture, Best Director (Rajamouli), Best Foreign Language Film, Best Visual Effects (V Srinivas Mohan), and Best Song (Naatu Naatu). “RRR” was up against movies including “All Quiet on the Western Front,” “Argentina 1985,” “Bardo,” “False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths,” “Close,” and “Decision to Leave” in the Best Foreign Language Film category.
A fictional pre-Independence tale called “RRR” centers on Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem, two actual Indian rebels who lived during the 1920s.
Rajamouli dedicated the honor to his native India and all the female figures in his life who have encouraged and supported him throughout his artistic career.
“She believed that education was overvalued and forced me to read picture books and comics, much like all the other ladies in my life, including my mother Rajnandani. She boosted my imagination. My sister-in-law Srivalli, who raised me like a child and constantly motivates me to be my best self, “stated the director in his acceptance speech.
“My wife Rama, she is the costume designer of my films, but more than that she is the designer of my life — if she is not there I’m not going to be here today. To my daughters, they don’t do anything, but their smile is enough to light up my life. And finally to my motherland –India, Bharat — Mera Bharat Mahan! Jai Hind,” Rajamouli said.
The foot-tapping dance number from the film “Naatu Naatu”, which won the ‘best original song-motion picture’ at the Golden Globes last week, was nominated for the CCA alongside “Carolina”(Where the Crawdads Sing), “Ciao Papa” (Guillermo del Toro’sPinocchio), “Hold My Hand” (Top Gun: Maverick), “Lift me up” (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) and “New Body Rhumba”(White Noise).
The track has been composed by veteran music director MM Keeravaani and voiced by singers Kala Bhairava and Rahul Sipligunj.
Filmed on Ram Charan and Jr NTR, “Naatu Naatu” translates to bucolic in Telugu and demonstrates the spirit of fun in country music over 4.35 breathless minutes of song and dance.
Choreographed by Prem Rakshith, it has legions of followers still trying to master its steps. It also features in the Oscars shortlist announced last month.
Last week, the movie made it to the BAFTA longlist for the ‘film not in the English language’ category.
The 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards were hosted by Chelsea Handler. Michelle Yeoh’s “Everything Everywhere All at Once” led the film nominations at the CCA with 14 nods.
During the ceremony it took home the night’s top honor, Best Picture, as well as Best Supporting Actor (for Ke Huy Quan), Best Director (for Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert), Best Original Screenplay, and Best Editing.
“Better Call Saul” dominated the television awards, winning Best Drama Series, Best Actor in a Drama Series (for Bob Odenkirk), and Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (for Giancarlo Esposito).
