New Delhi: Runaway hit movie RRR brought to India Oscar for best song with its racy electrifying Naatu Naatu grabbing the most coveted prize, beating close contenders including Lady Gaga's Hold My Hand from Top Gun: Maverick.
Making a niche for Indian music globally after AR Rahman pulled off it years ago, composer MM Keeravaani and lyricist Chandrabose picked up the prize.
Chandrabose crooned a version of The Carpenters' hit Top Of The World for his acceptance speech.
Naatu Naatu viral track from RRR, directed by SS Rajamouli featuring actors Ram Charan and Jr NTR, all of whom attended the Academy Awards, already rocked the world.
At the Oscar the song was performed live by singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava as Lauren Gottlieb danced to it, introduced by Deepika Padukone who was the third Indian to be a presenter after Priyanka Chopra and Persis Khambatta, according to NDTV.
Naatu Naatu had already ensured its position globally having won the Golden Globe for Best Original Song in January.
MM Keeravaani and Chandrabose join a precious Oscars-winning group of Indians that include costume designer Bhanu Athaiya, composer AR Rahman, lyricist Gulzar, sound engineer Resul Pookutty, and legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray who received an honorary award.
Set in British India, RRR ran to full house in Japan and in a Los Angeles cinema audiences danced to Naatu Naatu song.
Naatu Naatu, which was filmed outside the Presidential Palace in pre-war Ukraine, is a sort of dance contest where Raju and Bheem, played by Ram Charan and Jr NTR, take on their British counterparts.