Naatu Naatu
"Naatu Naatu" (transl. Native, Local, Wild)[7] is an Indian Telugu-language song composed by M. M. Keeravani, with lyrics by Chandrabose and recorded by Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava for the soundtrack album of the 2022 Indian film RRR.[8] It was released on 10 November 2021 (released on YouTube as a lyrical video song) as the second single from the album, through Lahari Music and T-Series. The full video song, featuring visuals directly from the film, was released on 11 April 2022 on YouTube.
"Naatu Naatu"
The song was also released in Hindi as "Naacho Naacho", in Tamil as "Naattu Koothu", in Kannada as "Halli Naatu" and in Malayalam as "Karinthol". The hook step dance involving N. T. Rama Rao Jr. and Ram Charan – the lead actors of RRR – became popular.[9] "Naatu Naatu" became the first song from an Indian film to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song, as well as the first song from an Asian film to win the former.[10][11] It is also the second Indian song to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song after "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionaire (2008).[12]
Critical reception[edit]
Onmanorama praised the song and stated, "The mood-lifting beats and the perkiest actors dancing to those beats is just what the fans have been waiting for, ever since the makers announced the magnum opus."[23] A. Kameshwari of The Indian Express wrote "Naatu Naatu offer double the fun as the two actors perform together on screen and create an insane energy, which makes you want to dance too. The RRR song can sure be titled as the best mass track of the year."[24] A review from Mirchi9 criticized the song itself for being ordinary, calling it as "an old-school, serviceable number". However, they praised Rama Rao and Charan's choreography and rapport, calling it as a "visual feast".[25] Matt Patches of Polygon and Wes Greene of Slant Magazine named the musical sequence as one of the best movie scenes of 2022.[26][27]
Alison Herman of The Ringer complimented the idea of the song and wrote "Naatu Naatu is something different: a musical performance that moves the story forward in a movie that isn't primarily musical, challenging the binary of "musical" versus "not" and making the song itself more integral to the film", comparing it with the Academy Award for Best Original Song nominees.[28] Analyzing the song, Sudhir Srinivasan of The New Indian Express stated: "The 274 seconds of the song inspire a rare loss of inhibition; they urge you to let go, give in, trust, and just dance. Worry later, dance now. For those seconds, everyone—the oppressive white man, the meek princess, the Indian rebels—is equal in dance and joy".[29] Firstpost's Ganesh Aaglave praised Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava's vocals.[30]
Impact[edit]
The song received positive reception from audiences, praising the music.[48] The hook step performed by Jr NTR and Ram Charan, went viral on social media.[49][50][51] Charan and Rama Rao often recreated the viral portion of the dance in the film's promotions,[52][53] as did director Rajamouli at the film's success party with encouragement from Rama Rao.[54]
In an article, Brenda Haas of Deutsche Welle referred to the song as a "global sensation". She further opined and wrote that, "the song's international popularity also underscores the fact that language is no barrier to enjoying music across borders".[55]
At Edison, New Jersey in 2023, numerous Tesla cars were assembled to have a show of light & sound, set to the music of this song.[56]