Oscars 2023: Naatu Naatu scripts history, 'The Elephant Whisperer' wins Best Documentary Award, and other highlights

A song that made even those with two left feet dance has finally done it! 'Naatu Naatu' from SS Rajamouli’s RRR became the first song from any Indian film to win in the Best Original Song category.

It is also the second Indian song to win this prestigious award, after 'Jai Ho' from Slumdog Millionaire won one in 2009 in the same category.

The Oscars were awarded to composer MM Keeravaani and lyricist Chandra Bose, who sang a version of The Carpenters' hit 'Top Of The World' as his acceptance speech.

At the very start of the ceremony, the audience saw a spoof performance wherein Jimmy Kimmel was driven off stage by dancers performing the 'Naatu Naatu' hookstep.

Making heads turn in a stunning Louis Vuitton gown, Indian actor Deepika Padukone introduced the song before its iconic performance. After Persis Khambatta and Priyanka Chopra, Padukone became the third Indian Oscar presenter ever.

The audience also witnessed an energetic performance to the song. Playback singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava performed the song live on stage, and even though actors Ram Charan and Jr NTR did not shake a leg, dancers, including Lauren Gottlieb, set the stage on fire with their performance. 

The performance received a standing ovation from the audience.

That wasn't the only proud moment for India. The Elephant Whisperers, a documentary directed by Kartiki Gonsalves and produced by Guneet Monga won the Best Documentary Short Subject title.

Set in the Mudumalai National Park in Tamil Nadu, the documentary is the tale of an orphaned elephant calf, Raghu, in the care of Bomman and Bellie, an indigenous couple. The documentary celebrates the bond that develops between them and the beauty of their surroundings. It's something you just shouldn't miss. 

Everything Everywhere All at Once rules the roost

With as many as 11 nominations, Everything Everywhere All at Once was a favourite of the night. And they lived up to their top billing by taking home seven awards including Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Editing, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Original Screenplay.

The evening saw history being made as Michelle Yeoh became the first Asian person to win the lead actress award. 

Yeoh dedicated the award to her mom and all the mothers in the world. “They are really the superheroes, and without them, none of us would be here tonight,” she said.

The coveted title of Best Actor 

Brendan Fraser took home the 2023 Oscar for Best Actor for his role of an obese, reclusive man desperate to reconnect with his estranged daughter in The Whale. 

Fraser said he was astonished. “Surprised, astonishment, happiness, hopefulness and humility because even being nominated is the fulfillment of an aspiration that any actor would be hard pressed to not admit that they had the hope to even dare for." 

Winners list

Best picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
Best Actress: Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once)
Best Actor: Brendan Fraser (The Whale)
Best Supporting Actress: Jamie Lee Curtis (Everything Everywhere All at Once)
Best Supporting Actor: Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere All at Once)
Best Director: Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert (Everything Everywhere All at Once)
Best Animated Feature Film: Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio - Guillermo del Toro, Mark Gustafson, Gary Ungar and Alex Bulkley
Best Cinematography: All Quiet on the Western Front - James Friend
Costume Design: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - Ruth Carter
Original screenplay: Everything Everywhere All at Once
Animated Short: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse
Live action short: An Irish Goodbye
Best Animated Feature: Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
Best Documentary Feature: Navalny
Best Documentary Short: The Elephant Whisperers
Best International Feature: All Quiet on the Western Front (Germany)
Best Production Design: All Quiet on the Western Front
Best Visual Effects: Avatar: The Way of Water