Ahead of 2026 Oscars, a look back at S.S. Rajamouli's RRR's iconic moments from the Academy Awards 2023

The 2026 Oscars are knocking, and with the film industry and the whole world getting ready to celebrate the artists and their crafts, it’s the perfect time to look back at how far we’ve come. Especially as Indians, a lot of people are still thinking about the wild, unforgettable moments that brought Indian artistry into the Hollywood spotlight. For Indian film fans, nothing stands out more than that electric night in 2023 when ‘RRR’, the Telugu blockbuster that already had the world’s attention, made history at the Academy Awards.

For the unversed, S. S. Rajamouli’s ‘RRR’ exploded onto the scene in 2022, and it didn’t take long for people everywhere to take note and fall for its mix of jaw-dropping action, heartfelt storytelling, and high-octane music. The movie, starring Ram Charan and Jr NTR, was already a hit, but the Oscars pushed Indian cinema into a whole new league.




And let’s not forget ‘Naatu Naatu’; that song didn’t just get stuck in everyone’s head; it created history. Moreover, watching it win at the Oscars felt huge: not just for the ‘RRR’ team, but for Indian movie lovers everywhere.

With another Oscars ceremony just a couple of nights away, let’s rewind and cherish the moments when ‘RRR’ shone bright at the global stage.

‘Naatu Naatu’ winning Best Original Song

The biggest moment? Hands down, it was the moment when ‘Naatu Naatu’ took home the Oscar for Best Original Song at the 2023 ceremony. Composer M. M. Keeravani and lyricist Chandrabose made history, as it was the first time a song from an Indian movie won that award. Sure, artists like A. R. Rahman had won before, but this was different, as this was a mainstream Indian film, front and center on the world stage.

The ‘Naatu Naatu’ performance that stole the show

Even before the envelope was opened, ‘Naatu Naatu’ was the talk of the night. Singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava, backed by a team of dancers, brought the movie’s famous choreography to life on the Oscars stage.

Although a lot of us were hoping to see Ram Charan and Jr NTR shake their legs to the electrifying beats, that reportedly didn’t happen due to busy schedules and barely any rehearsal time. However, the performance still captured the movie’s spirit and introduced millions to that wild Telugu dance number.

Deepika Padukone’s proud introduction

There was another moment that stuck with people, even before the win and the performance. Deepika Padukone stepped up to introduce the ‘Naatu Naatu’ performance. She spoke about the song’s infectious beat and iconic dance moves, calling it a global sensation. For Indian audiences, seeing her up there was pure pride. It was also proof that Indian stars and filmmakers are getting the recognition they deserve.

‘RRR’: The film and the unforgettable moments

For the unversed, ‘RRR’s story is set in the 1920s, back when the British still ruled India. The movie tells a fictional tale inspired by real-life revolutionaries Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem. The film follows their bond as they stand up against British rule, blending massive action scenes with emotion and a strong sense of camaraderie. It became one of India’s biggest blockbusters ever. And when ‘Naatu Naatu’ won, the celebration was impossible to miss. Cameras caught director S. S. Rajamouli leaping with joy, while cast and crew hugged and cheered right there in the Dolby Theatre — it was one of those Oscar moments that felt truly global.Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”