‘RRR’s’ ‘Naatu Naatu’ made Oscars history. But South Asian dancers feel betrayed
LOS ANGELES — After a milestone night for Asian and Asian American inclusion at the 95th Academy Awards, one community is still feeling the sting of being left out.
Sunday’s performance of the viral heel-tapping hit “Naatu Naatu,” which became the first tune from an Indian film to win the Oscar for original song, was meant to be a celebration of Telugu-language blockbuster “RRR’s” unlikely road to the Oscars. Instead, it left many in the South Asian community disappointed and outraged for failing to showcase any South Asian dancers onstage.
In the corresponding scene in the film, director S.S. Rajamouli, composer M.M. Keeravani, lyricist Chandrabose, choreographer Prem Rakshith and stars N.T. Rama Rao Jr. and Ram Charan construct a paean to South Indian dance, with freedom fighters Bheem (NTR Jr.) and Rama (Charan) facing off in competition against Caucasian British men and women. Breaking into dizzying hook steps, the heroes defeat their elitist rivals with moves rooted in Indian folk dance.
South Asian dancers and choreographers who spoke to the L.A. Times say that message was
