RRR songwriter M.M. Keeravani accepted the Golden Globe for the movie’s “Naatu Naatu,” but did not get to finish his speech. Keeravani said that he was trying to thank his mother, who died Dec. 12 — the day of the nominations.
The date of the Golden Globe Awards was important to Keeravani, too. Jan. 10 marked the 36th anniversary of the day Keeravani began his apprenticeship with composer K. Chakravarthy.
RRR (Rise Roar Revolt) is a Telugu action film with musical numbers like the award-winning “Naatu Naatu.” Ram Charan Teja and N.T. Rama Rao Jr. play real-life revolutionaries Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem, respectively, in a historical fiction about their early adventures together.
Raju and Bheem sing and dance to “Naatu Naatu” at a party held by British officers during the British Raj in the 1920s. They humiliate the British men who cannot keep up with their moves, pulling their suspenders in synchronized choreography.
Keeravani complimented Rama Rao and Charan Teja’s stamina in his acceptance speech.
In mythologizing Raju and Bheem, director S.S. Rajamouli gave them superhuman dance moves. They also rescue children from explosions, attack the British with an army of animals and ride on each other’s shoulders in the film’s action scenes.
Keeravani worked with Rajamouli, the actors and choreographer Prem Rakshith in developing “high-energy and high-voltage dance steps” for “Naatu Naatu.”
The actors did not sing themselves, however. They lip-synced to Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava’s song.
RRR opened in March internationally, making $154 million worldwide, $14.7 million of which came from the United States. Screenings with Rajamouli, cast and Keeravani in attendance continue to sell out in Los Angeles as recently as Monday.
RRR is the 12th Rajamouli film that Keeravani has composed. Keeravani said he hopes fans also discover Eega, Baahubali: The Beginning and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion which are all streaming on Netflix, along with a Hindi version of RRR.
