Anupam Kher marked his directorial debut with Om Jai Jagdish in 2002. Now, after 22 years, the actor is set to don the director’s hat again for his next, Tanvi The Great. Ask what took him so long to get in the director’s chair, and Kher says, “I was waiting for a story to inspire me and make me feel that I should share it with the world. Om Jai Jagadish wasn’t my story. I was acting at that time and I was just excited about being a part of films in another capacity. But after that, I decided that if I had to direct a film again, the story should come from within.”

The 69-year-old informs that the idea of Tanvi The Great came to him about four years ago and its shoot started earlier this month. Ask how he has changed as a director since Om Jai Jagdish, and Kher says, “I’ve seen more life since Om Jai Jagdish. The kind of cinema that I want to make should have joy and heartbreak.”

The film is a musical that will have Oscar-winning composer M M Keeravaani helming its soundtrack. “We have been working on the film’s music for the last one year. It was around his Oscar win when I called him. In 10 minutes of hearing the script, he said yes,” says the Uunchai (2022) actor, who has been flying to Hyderabad every two months to finalize the film’s music.

He adds, “For me, it was very important to have the music of the film ready before I started shooting. It helps the film stay true to itself. Mr Keeravaani is also doing the background score, because I can’t have a different person doing it.”

Few get the opportunity to be associated with an Academy Award-winning project. Fewer get the chance to say that they performed live at the Oscars, before the crème de la crème of the global film fraternity. For 33-year-old Rahul Sipligunj both these dreams were realized when he rendered the Oscar-winning Naatu Naatu at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre, only a week ago. 

“I’m evidently overwhelmed. To perform on that stage and earn appreciation from the biggest celebrities from across the globe was truly a dream come true,” beams the singer, who sang the original song along with Kaala Bhairava. 

“When we landed [in LA], we rehearsed for four days. We were excited to recreate the scene from the film, even though we missed the presence of our two stars [RRR leading men, Ram Charan and Jr NTR] on stage. The audience loved our energy.”

Sipligunj is evidently revelling in the attention that M M Keeravaani’s composition has been receiving since it found a place among the Oscar nominees in the Best Original Song category. However, getting his name on the film’s credit roll was indeed a chase to the finish line. He recalls being given the “tune and lyrics” of the song, which he rendered despite being unaware of the project it was to be employed for.

“The song was in the making for a year-and-a-half. Either the lyrics, or its [tempo] would be changed. As and when the iterations would be made, Kaala and I would have to return to sing the [new version]. M M Kreem sir would always tell me, ‘[Yours] is not the final voice. We’re only trying this song with you. We don’t know the future.’ So, I was [persuaded] to keep giving my best and rendering it with energy. This was the song that would see the two stars perform together. It was the only massy song in the film. So, it required all the energy that we could deliver. I was nervous until I was told that mine would be the final voice,” recalls the singer, who says his fans in the Telugu industry usually admire him for his independent music.

“I was a reality show winner, so people love listening to my independent music, which has also [got a boost after this win]. As of now, I want to go with the flow. If I get the opportunity to sing in another language, I will take it up. I’ve worked on my next [album], which will be released in all four languages that I sang this RRR song in, that is Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi,” he says, expressing his gratitude for Keeravaani’s faith and director S S Rajamouli’s vision that led to the film earning acclaim from international audiences.

Monday morning would have commenced unusually for film aficionados in India. Abreast with the knowledge that three Indian films were competing for top titles at the world’s biggest film awards night, movie buffs would have kicked off their day groggily browsing through their phones to learn if we indeed did clinch an Oscar. The country won not one, but two titles, making this event a historic one for Indian cinema.

At the 95th Academy Awards, S S Rajamouli’s RRR took home the Best Original Song title for MM Keeravaani’s composition, Naatu Naatu. The dance number that became an anthem of sorts in India, acquired international acclaim after RRR began to pick up titles across international galas, this year.

Guneet Monga and Kartiki Gonsalves’s The Elephant Whisperers earned the country its second Academy Award this year, making this the first Indian production to win an Oscar.

RRR presenter Jayantilal Gada tells mid-day, “The Oscars is always the dream and the ultimate goal [for filmmakers]. We are humbled and grateful to Rajamouli ji for partnering with us. The film has made India so proud. I congratulate the entire team.”

Gonsalves and Monga dedicated their win in the Best Documentary Short category to India. The Netflix offering about the unbreakable bond between an abandoned elephant and its caretakers earned Monga her second Oscar after Period. End of Sentence. The 2019 film also earned her a title in the same category.

“I stand here to speak of our connection with the natural world, for the respect of indigenous communities, and empathy towards other living beings we share a space with,” Gonsalves said, dedicating the win to her “motherland, India”.

Monga, who graced the stage in a pink Banarasi saree, said in a statement, “This is an incredibly powerful and historical moment. We, as two women from India, stood on that global stage making this historic win. An independent production house from India has made history to be the first ever Indian film by an Indian production to win an Oscar. My heart is racing with all the joy, love, and excitement in the moment. Today I can say, the future for Indian cinema is audacious, the future is here and not to forget, the future is truly female.”

The first song from an Indian film to win in the Best Original Song category, Naatu Naatu was pitted against the works of heavyweights like Lady Gaga, and Rihanna, both of whom performed their nominated songs, Hold My Hand, and Lift Me Up, at the gala. The energetic performance to Naatu Naatu, which saw singers Kaala Bhairava and Rahul Sipligunj sing live on stage, emerged to be the talking point of the night after it brought the audience to its feet.  

Team RRR was also lauded for celebrating Indian culture with their ensembles at the big night. While Rajamouli took to the stage in a traditional dhoti and mauve silk kurta, leading men Ram Charan and Jr NTR wore attires with statement embroidery that was reminiscent of their characters. In an acceptance speech that was as joyful as it was heart-touching, Keeravaani, who had grown up consuming the music of American duo, The Carpenters, serenaded the audience with his take on their song, Top of the world. “RRR has to win, pride of every Indian, and must put me on the top of the world (sic),” the man of the moment sang. 

The big winner of the night was an American film about a Chinese immigrant. It appeared that every second win was awarded to Everything Everywhere All At Once, which took home seven of the eleven trophies it was nominated for. The biggest titles of the night, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Lead Actress,  Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Best Editing, were awarded to the Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert directorial venture. It became the most-awarded film since 2008’s Slumdog Millionaire, which earned eight titles in 2009. 

In his celebrated comeback of sorts to Hollywood, Brendan Fraser won the top nod in the acting category for The Whale, which sees him as a morbidly obese teacher who tries to restore his relationship with his teenage daughter. “I started in this business 30 years ago and things didn’t come easily to me. I want to say thank you,” he said.

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Jr NTR, SS Rajamouli and Ram Charan pay homage to India with their attires

Kartiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga

A Golden Globe win, an Oscar nod and a Padma Shri — 2023 for M M Keeravaani is certainly off to a great start! The music maestro, who composed the multiple award-winning song Naatu Naatu from RRR (2022), feels it is the beginning of a new chapter for Indian music on a global front. He is happy and humbled by the accolades, but isn’t one to be shouting from the rooftop about them.

“The feeling is good. But, it doesn’t leave me in a state where I am shouting out loud and celebrating by calling friends and attending champagne parties. I don’t do that,” he tells us.

The 61-year-old elaborates, “In my 34-year-long career, I have seen many ups and downs. My project Baahubali earned over Rs. 2,000 crore, breaking all the records. Even then, I did not celebrate anything. That is because if I celebrate my success, it may leave me in a good mood at that moment. But later, if I come across a failure, it will leave me depressed. So, neither do I celebrate success nor do I get depressed on facing failure. I’m happy with whatever is happening. It’s a good feeling, but that’s about it. At the most, I will go to a bakery and buy some croissants!”

Over the years, Keeravaani, the son of lyricist and screenwriter K Siva Shakthi Datta, has composed several hits in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi, drawing inspiration from folk music and classical ragas. He is the man behind hits such as Aa Bhi Jaa (Sur; 2002), Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai (Jism; 2003) and many others. Now, his track Naatu Naatu is taking him places.

Ask what the Oscar nomination in the Best Original Song category may translate to and he says, “People will get to know about Indian culture and music, which may open doors wider than ever for the world to embrace Indian music, culture and literature.”

He adds, “We are no less than any other culture in the world. We have got Hindustani music, which has got 10 to 12 styles. We have Carnatic music, which has 72 main ragas from which are derived thousands of raga subsets. So, this rich Indian classical music can be explored further by enthusiasts and aspirants from the West, which is very good. Music is an ocean. The more you explore, the more you are enriched. Naatu Naatu is just the beginning. We have miles to go.”

As for the Padmi Shri, Keeravani says he wants to use the honour for the greater good. “Padma Shri is a good thing, but a random thing. There is nothing hard and fast, no set rules or regulations as to who gets it. But, I want to take this opportunity to highlight the unsung heroes and my gurus, as now, my words are a little more in focus. That is how I’m going to use this newly acquired fame,” says the composer, who’s also looking forward to attending the 95th Academy Awards ceremony in March.

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History has been created. RRR, directed by S S Rajamouli, has bagged a nomination at the prestigious Academy Awards for Naatu Naatu (Best Original Song category). And as far as cherries on the cake go, there is not one but two — Shaunak Sen’s All That Breathes (Best Documentary Feature) and Guneet Monga Kapoor-produced The Elephant Whisperers (Documentary Short Subject), too, bagged nods.

In a celebratory note, Rajamouli wrote, “The main reason is Taarak (Jr NTR) and (Ram) Charan’s sync and style.” He acknowledged Naatu Naatu’s dance routine, which people have tried to recreate all over the world. “Sorry for the torture but I will not hesitate to do it again,” he further wrote about the song, which will compete against Applause from Tell It Like A Woman (2022), starring Jacqueline Fernandez.

M M Keeravaani, who composed the song, told Deadline, “The Oscars involve the dreams of artistes from all over the world, which is not a joke. I’m very proud to be nominated for the first time from [South] Asia in this music category. I’m thrilled.”

Kapoor tweeted, “This film is an ode to devotion and love..an ode to selfless love for the beautiful baby ellie Raghu who felt all the emotions like us humans but only two could hear his whispers - Bomman and Bellie (sic).”

The awards show will take place on March 13, and fans will look forward to seeing the golden statuette (or statuettes!) home this time.

It wasn’t too long ago that foreign-film viewers would poke fun at Indian cinema’s song-and-dance routine. Slowly and surely, it caught their interest, and eventually won them over. M M Keeravaani’s win at the 80th Golden Globe Awards yesterday represented just that—a celebration of a song that was all things Indian. RRR’s Naatu Naatu, which was adjudged the best original song, has an upbeat traditional score and a choreography that’s as desi as it can get. Indian musicians say it is this rare combination that has been admired by the West.

Composer Sachin Sanghvi of Sachin-Jigar fame believes it is Keeravaani’s catchy beat, coupled with filmmaker S S Rajamouli’s vision, which made the song stand out. “Naatu Naatu is catchy and infectious. The world hasn’t seen this sort of energetic and crazy dance; it is a rarity for them. It is the song’s energy that has appealed to people, worldwide,” he reasons.

With this win, the RRR composer left behind American mammoths like Rihanna, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga, who were vying for the gong. International portal Variety referred to the development as the win of ‘the underdog’. On home turf, though, Keeravaani is far from an underdog. His musician friend Sivamani is glad that the world has “finally recognized such a great composer”. “He is the king of melody.

Even his funk, rock music will have melody. This song is such an enjoyable watch. The choreography that sees the leading men compete, is a treat.” Singer-musician Daler Mehndi seconds his opinion. “Keeravaani’s music can be ethnic, folk, and classical, all at once. A man with a golden heart has won the Golden Globe.”

Keeravaani may have brought home the trophy, but no one would dismiss the role of choreographer Prem Rakshit in making the number — featuring Ram Charan and Jr NTR — the phenomenon it is. At a time when OTT viewers have the option of skipping a song, Naatu Naatu is one that they will watch a second time over. “Would a song be as impactful if a person simply stood at a place and sang it,” asks Lesle Lewis, making a case for the place of choreography in cinema. 

“My dad [P L Raj] was among the biggest choreographers of his time, and has worked in films like Sholay and Sargam. It is the song-and-dance [routine] that the international audience consumes. Also, we have now incorporated elements from the West into our work. So, while this is novel for the international audience, it is not entirely alien to them. Indian music has been striking a chord after Jai Ho [Slumdog Millionaire].”