India: RRR’s “Naatu Naatu”, “The Elephant Whisperers” documentary win 95th Academy awards 

India: India has recently won two awards for Best Original Song for the film RRR, “Naatu Naatu”, and Best Documentary Short Film for “The Elephant Whisperers” in the 95th Academy awards. The recognition of India in the biggest award show of the filmy world (Oscars) has created a new chapter of growth the Indian cinema.

Both films have presented in the frame of diversity and inclusion and enhanced its soft power in unique ways. Various actors such as Raj Kapoor, Irrfan Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Manoj Bajpayee, Anupam Kher, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Dhanush, Mohanlal, Deepika Padukone, Yash, and creators like Satyajit Ray, Rajamouli, Raj & DK, Basil Joseph, Prashant Neel, and many more have contributed immensely to the image of India in the eyes of the world through their cinema.

Indian movies such as Dangal and three idiots have taken their place across the globe due to their relatable and local content. All these aspects have shown that Cinema has a great impact on the audience’s mind and is premised on creativity and free speech. Various academic case studies showcased the impact of Indian cinema with local flavour made a huge impact on foreign audiences. Movies such as RR (Telugu), Kantara (Kannada), Sairat (Marathi), Pariyerum Perumal (Tamil), Mandela (Tamil), and Asuran (Tamil) and films like The Elephant Whisperers from a documentary perspective show the emergence of the local flavour among the foreign audiences.

While coming to RRR, it is now not just the movie or cinema as it has become the festival now due to its craze across the globe, particularly in the West. The people in the United States of America accoladed the more with full hands as it won the Golden Globe Award for “Naatu Naatu” and the New York Film critics circle Award, Critics Choice Movie Awards, etc., before winning the Academy award.

While doing great in Japan, the stars from the famous K-pop band BTS, like Jungkook, and the South Korean ambassador to India, Chang Jae-bok, and his embassy staff have captured the “Naatu Naatu” dance moves on social media and grooved on it.

The stories of two tribal heroes, Komaram Bheem and Alluri Sitarama Raju, were impacted, and highlighted in the minds of the audiences and encouraged the young people to learn more about the contributions of the several freedom fighters.

On the other hand, the Elephant Whisperers, which won the Best Documentary Film award at the 95th Academy Awards, showcased the forest rangers and the Kattunayakan tribal community in Tamil Nadu work together to live in harmony with nature and wild elephants. It outlines the beautiful story of the relationship between nature and human beings and encourages people to follow the path of sustainability.

Indian cinema has been growing with great productions focusing on social cohesion and bridging social divisions.