The pinnacle of glitz and glamour, the 96th Academy Awards, illuminated the night at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, where a dynamic action sequence from the Indian blockbuster ‘RRR’ dazzled the audience. It was part of a montage that paid homage to the illustrious and often perilous work of the stunt community in international cinema. Stars Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, both Oscar nominees, unveiled the 1.15-minute highlight reel that captivated viewers with breathtaking feats.
“They have been such a crucial part of our industry since the beginning of cinema… To the stunt performers and stunt coordinators who help make movies magic. We salute you,” Gosling declared with a tone of reverence. Emily Blunt further extolled their bravery, acknowledging them as “the unsung heroes who risk life and limb for cinema.”
The montage was a cavalcade of cinematic history, featuring the prowess and artistry that have enraptured audiences for generations. The ‘RRR’ sequence, showcasing the talents of stars Ram Charan and Jr NTR, was deftly woven among scenes from silent film greats Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, and Buster Keaton, as well as iconic moments from ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,’ ‘Titanic,’ and contemporary feats from films like ‘Mission: Impossible,’ ‘John Wick,’ ‘The Matrix,’ and ‘Black Panther.’
Despite persistent lobbying efforts, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has not yet introduced an award category specifically for stunts. The institution did, however, recently announce its intention to recognize casting directors, marking the first new category in over two decades. However, the recognition of the guts and artistry of stunt work still awaits its due in the form of an Oscar category.
The inclusion of the ‘RRR’ film at the awards ceremony was celebrated as “a sweet surprise” on the official social media page of the film. The post, adorned with emoticons of fire and water, a nod to the elemental themes in the film, shared the film’s pride in being part of the tribute to the world’s greatest stunt sequences in cinema.
Another highlight of the evening included a moment of nostalgia and pride for ‘RRR’ fans worldwide. The adrenalizing tune ‘Naatu Naatu’ from the film, which had won the Oscar for Best Original Song the previous year, played once again at this year’s ceremony. It heralded the transition as Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, co-stars from the musical ‘Wicked,’ stepped onto the stage to present this year’s category winner, which went to Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell for their composition ‘What Was I Made For?’ from the film ‘Barbie.’
“Naatu Naatu,” a jubilant and rhythmically infectious number has cemented its place in cinematic history, not only as a foot-tapping anthem but also as the first song from an Indian film to win an Oscar. Composed by M.M. Keeravaani and written by K. Chandrabose, it was brought to life by Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava whose voices captivated a global audience.
The Oscars stage lit up the spellbinding craft of Telugu cinema as ‘RRR’ stood alongside the best in world cinema. This reverent nod acknowledges the universality of cinematic language—a language where the visceral thrill of stunts mirrors the heartbeat of the audience, a place where songs transcend borders, and where the magic of the movies continues to unify and excite moviegoers around the globe.
