That the 'RRR' team members had to buy tickets to the 95th Academy Awards came as a shock to Indian fans, who were already upset that Rajamouli and others were seated at the rear, close to the exit, during the ceremony.
In an unusual acceptance speech that got him several rounds of applause, Keeravani gave his unusual spin to the ageless hit of The Carpenters, 'Top of the World', that many of his age have grown up grooving to.
"I adore John Williams very much. I am a great fan of his music," Keeravani said about Steven Spielberg's favourite music composer who shares with Walt Disney the record for getting the highest number of Oscar nominations.
'Naatu Naatu' was in competition with 'Carolina' from 'Where the Crawdads Sing', 'Ciao Papa' from Guillermo del Toro's 'Pinocchio', 'Hold My Hand' from 'Top Gun: Maverick', and 'Lift Me Up' from 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'.