How India’s Oscar-winning Naatu Naatu song and iconic hook step took the world by storm

Netizens love the ‘very happy’ dance anthem in Telugu-language blockbuster RRR for its ‘catchy chorus, electrifying beats and killer dance moves’

The song’s lively choreography in RRR has inspired countless Instagram reels and TikTok videos as users share their attempts to mimic the dance steps

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Naatu Naatu is performed during the 95th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theater on March 12, 2023. Photo: TNS

Published: 4:00pm, 19 Mar 2023Updated: 4:38pm, 19 Mar 2023

As India celebrates its two historic Academy Awards wins, best original song Naatu Naatu is having its moment in the sun with millions of social media users posting videos of themselves mimicking the song’s dance moves in the Telugu-language epic action blockbuster RRR.

The song plays in the film when Indian movie stars Junior NTR and Ram Charan’s characters are humiliated by an Englishman for being the only Indians at a colonial party, and culminates in a dance-off that the Indians win.

“What do you know about dance: tango, flamenco, swing? Can you do any of these?” challenged the Englishman.

“Not salsa, not flamenco, my brother, Do you know naatu?” say the Indian duo, dressed in Western suits and suspenders, before breaking into perfectly synchronised song and dance.

Naatu Naatu, the first song from an Indian film to be nominated and win an Oscar, beat off stiff competition from the likes of Lady Gaga and Rihanna.

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