One of the more disappointing elements of this awards season is that RRR didn’t get more Oscar nominations. Netflix gave it a big push, but All Quiet on the Western Front ended up being the non-English language Netflix film the Academy went for (not an unexpected outcome, frankly). But “Naatu Naatu”, the catchy dance number from RRR, is the favorite to win Best Original Song. It will be performed on stage, too, though it will be sung by Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava, who recorded the song for the film’s soundtrack. Sadly, RRR stars Ram Charan and N.T. Rama Rao, Jr. won’t be dancing, though they will be at the Oscars, along with director S.S. Rajamouli.
Here's Ram Charan with his wife, Upasana Kaminineni, doing some shopping and celebrating a “baby moon” before the Oscars (they’re expecting their first child). These photos look very staged, but I am never going to get mad about Ram Charan getting in some face time with cameras. I mean, look at that face. That is a FACE.
While RRR didn’t end up with the nomination haul many of us hoped for—along with Top Gun: Maverick, it’s the most fun I had at the movies last year, plus it is very good—it has opened the door for Western audiences to explore more Bollywood/Tollywood films. Like, could RRR lead to Pathaan, Bollywood legend Shah Rukh Khan’s new movie, being considered for Oscars next year? Pathaan co-star Deepika Padukone will be presenting at the Oscars, it’s all tied together! Pathaan is probably too much of an action movie for the Academy—RRR at least has the historical drama angle to soften its leopard-fight edge—but it’s a hella good movie. It’s like a Mission: Impossible movie, a Fast/Furious movie, and a John Wick movie rolled into one. It hits Amazon Prime on April 25, be prepared for this to be the movie everyone is losing their minds over this summer.