Rajinikanth congratulates 'RRR' team for Oscar win

CHENNAI: Actor Rajinikanth on Monday congratulated the 'RRR' team for bagging the 'Best Original Song' Award at the 95th Academy Awards.

He took to his official Twitter handle and wrote, "My hearty congratulations to Shri. Keeravani, Shri. Rajamouli and Shri. Kartiki Gonsalves for getting the prestigious Oscar Award. I salute to the proud Indians." (sic)

Before bagging the 'Best Original Song' Award at the ceremony, the song 'Nattu Nattu' was performed live on the Oscar stage with the song's singers, which even got a standing ovation from the audience. 'Naatu Naatu' is the first Telugu song to be nominated in the 'Original Song' category at the Oscars.

'Naatu Naatu' has won the award trumping big names like Rihanna and Lady Gaga. Composer MM Keeravani and lyricist Chandrabose accepted the award on behalf of the team. Singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava and composer along with director SS Rajamouli and lead actors Jr NTR and Ram Charan are all present at the big event.

It is to be noted that 'Naatu Naatu' is the first Telugu song to be nominated in the 'Original Song' category at the Oscars. The song competed against 'Applause' from the film 'Tell It Like A Woman,' 'Hold My Hand' from the movie 'Top Gun: Maverick,' 'Lift me Up' from 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,' and 'This Is Life,' from 'Everything, Everywhere All At Once'.

'RRR' is a fictional story based on the lives of two Telugu freedom fighters -- Alluri Seetharama Raju and Komaram Bheem. Ram Charan and Jr NTR played lead roles, respectively. The film collected over Rs 1,200 crore worldwide. Alia Bhatt, Ajay Devgn, and Shriya Saran also starred in the film.