Why Oscar for RRR movie song 'Naatu Naatu' ?

Anju Pulivarthi is an arts student, research scholar, and multimedia journalist based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. After embarking on academic research, she published several papers in reputed international journals and received the “Best Research Paper Presentation” award at the Dubai IMRF Conference on Social Media Studies (2019). In recognition of her impact in the field, she was honored with the “Individual Achiever Award” in Media/Journalism by the Karnataka State Traders Chambers of Commerce (KTCC – State Board) in 2023.

Anju brings a critical, research-driven perspective to popular culture, blending academic inquiry with journalistic insight to decode contemporary media phenomena. In her 2nd book, she delves into the unprecedented global recognition of “Naatu Naatu” from “RRR”, unpacking the cultural symbolism, cinematic craftsmanship & socio-media dynamics that propelled the song from a regional film to an international stage.

In this book, Author maintains that “Naatu Naatu” genuinely deserved its Oscar, despite the prevailing Western sentiment that Indian films succeed at the Oscars only through lobbying. Author argues that such perceptions overlook the song’s technical excellence, cultural specificity. By analyzing the song’s choreography, musical composition, narrative integration, the book demonstrates how “Naatu Naatu” exemplifies a synthesis of traditional Indian performance aesthetics, global cinematic language.

Through meticulous analysis, she examines digital circulation, audience reception, and global cultural discourse converged to secure the song’s historic Academy Award win, positioning it as a landmark moment in Indian cinema’s engagement with the world. Building on her academic foundations & journalistic practice, Anju is now crafting a distinct literary path & stepping confidently into authorship.