The countdown to the 95th Academy Awards has begun, and Indians are hoping for a historic moment. This year’s Oscars are special for India as two Indian non-fiction films have been nominated for the best documentary and best documentary short awards, and the Naatu Naatu song from the film RRR has been nominated for best original song.
SS Rajamouli’s RRR, a historical fantasy film about two real-life Indian revolutionaries fighting against British rule, has scored one Oscar nomination for best original song for MM Keeravaani’s composition Naatu Naatu. The song has already won a Golden Globe and a Critics' Choice Award. It will be fun to see Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava perform Naatu Naatu live during the Oscars ceremony.
Apart from RRR, two Indian non-fiction films, All That Breathes and The Elephant Whisperers, have been nominated for the best documentary and best documentary short awards respectively.
The Elephant Whisperers
All That Breathes
Both films focus on wildlife conservation and follow humans who have dedicated their lives to rescuing, raising and rehabilitating wild animals. All That Breathes, directed by Shaunak Sen, tells the story of two brothers running a hospital for scavenger birds called black kites in Wazirabad, Delhi. The Elephant Whisperers, directed by Kartiki Gonsalves, takes us deep inside the 140-year-old Theppakadu elephant camp in Tamil Nadu, to meet Bomman and Bellie, who lovingly rear baby elephants that have strayed from their tribe.
In addition to the films, Bollywood diva Deepika Padukone will take the international stage as one of the presenters at the Oscars 2023. She will join Hollywood A-listers Dwayne Johnson, Michael B Jordan, Riz Ahmed, Emily Blunt, Glenn Close, Troy Kotsur, Jennifer Connelly, Samuel L Jackson, Melissa McCarthy, Zoe Saldana, Donnie Yen, Jonathan Majors and Questlove in presenting the awards.
All eyes will be on the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on March 12 as the best entertainment pieces from 2022 are honoured. Jimmy Kimmel, the late-night host and comedian, will be hosting the Oscars for the third time. David Niven, Conrad Nagle, Jerry Lewis, and Steve Martin will also co-host the event.
India’s presence at the Oscars is a testament to the country's growing influence in the world entertainment industry. As the world continues to appreciate Indian cinema and culture, hopefully, we will see more Indian films, actors and technicians being recognised at the Oscars in the years to come.
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