2 Oscar Wins for India in 2023

The Elephant Whisperers and 'Naatu Naatu' from RRR

From left: M. M. Keeravani; Chandrabose; Kartiki Gonsalves; Guneet Monga

India won two Oscars during the 2023 Academy Awards:

Best Original Song - M. M. Keeravani and Chandrabose for “Naatu Naatu” from RRR

Best Documentary (Short Subject) - Guneet Monga and Kartiki Gonsalves for The Elephant Whisperers

Here are some highlights from the winners’ speeches:

Poster for The Elephant Whisperers

Filmmaker Kartiki Gonsalves during award acceptance:

“I stand here today to speak of the sacred bond between us and our natural world. For the respect of indigenous communities and empathy towards other living beings we share our space with. And finally for coexistence.”

Film producer Guneet Monga on Gonsalves’ determination:

“She did not wait for anybody for permission. It's filmmaking 101. She picked up the camera, found the story, started shooting with the subjects, and made a beautiful reel and brought it to me as a producer. And that's also when Netflix came on board… Don't wait for anybody. Just get started. There's nobody here to give you permission. You don't need a seat at the table. Create your own table and sit on it.”

Jr. NTR and Ram Charan in ‘Naatu Naatu’ from RRR

Lyricist Chandrabose on the Telugu language:

“Telugu has 56 letters. We have lot of words, lot of expressions, a lot of feelings in our language. A very great, very literary, and very musical language, Telugu is. If you write an ordinary word, it will sounds like music. So this song in RRR—Telugu [speakers] will love the meaning, but non-Telugu people are loving the song [because of] the kind of sound in the music and in the [language] that makes it possible.”

M.M. Keeravani on paving the way for more artists::

“It's just the beginning of everything, so that the world, particularly, the Western world focuses more on Indian music and Asian music which is long due. And I feel very happy, but it is like opening doors for the world to embrace our culture and music hereafter.”

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