'RRR' Director Breaks Down the Oscar-Winning Naatu Naatu Scene | Vanity Fair

S. S. Rajamouli, director of Indian smash hit film 'RRR,' discusses everything about the Oscar-winning "Naatu Naatu" scene from selecting the Mariinsky Palace in Kyiv as the location, working with Prem Rakshith for the choreography, the inspiration behind the costumes and more.

Director/Producer: Ashley Hall
Director of Photography: Matt Krueger
Editor: Cory Stevens
Talent: Director: S.S. Rajamouli
Line Producer: Jen Santos
Associate Producer: Emebeit Beyene
Production Manager: Andressa Pelachi
Production Coordinator: Peter Brunette, Kevin Balash
Talent Booker: Meredith Judkins
Camera Operator: Shay Eberle Gunst
Sound: Kari Barber
Production Assistant: Ariel Labasan
Post Production Supervisor: Edward Taylor
Post Production Coordinator: Andrea Farr
Supervising Editor: Kameron Key
Assistant Editor: Andy Morell



ABOUT VANITY FAIR
Arts and entertainment, business and media, politics, and world affairs—Vanity Fair’s features and exclusive videos capture the people, places, and ideas that define modern culture.

[dhanendrasinha]

Yesterday this video's title was like 'Oscar- nominated' and now it says 'oscar-winning' and as an Indian, I loved this change.

[reezapearlfernandes]

He is the first director i have ever heard appreciating the background actors/dancers and giving them the credit they deserve!!

[thatdisabledprincess]

As a musician, I love that he placed actual musicians in the scene! It truly is painful watching actors poorly attempt to hold instruments lol, so I respect directors who put actual musicians in their movies.

[eluna]

Ok I am Ukrainian and I had no clue we had a part in this masterpiece scene!

[aznfattass]

I can now understand why its Oscar worthy. when he breaks it down and you start noticing everything he said, its actually incredible.

[lucyfur]

The fact that so much effort has been put into every single detail of the song just amplifies the beauty of it
And now it won the Oscar for Best Original Song!!

[anandthethriller]

The man who broke the barriers of regional cinema across the country and now broke the barriers across the international arena with a Telugu film. The legend himself is here. Wow.

[johnk]

I love how humble he is when discussing the decisions of the movie, he drops so many names for the technical artists who motivated many of the great choices.

[induyalamanchili]

Love the way he said TELUGU language Indian film
India is very diverse we have so many cultures and languages
Glad the worlds noticing our cultural heritage
Lots of love 💕 and thanks to the whole team RRR

[aricaj.]

I had no idea that they filmed this sequence in Ukraine but there's something so poetic right now about the win belonging to them as much as it does to India. So happy that the song/dance has gotten the respect and attention it deserves

[wallEeeeeeeE]

The amount of respect this guy has for his team member is really amazing.

[michaelariano]

I just saw this yesterday and oh my god. By far one of the most fun experiences I've had in a theater. Best bromance I've seen since lethal weapon.

[ScenicFights]

Yes! Love seeing Vanity Fair giving S. S. Rajamouli the spotlight. Mark my words, RRR will win the 2023 Oscar for Best Original Song.

[randomnesslol]

"Telugu language Indian film" love that Rajamouli garu acknowledges the basis of the language and the culture it brings to the movie while also acknowleding the national pride this film carries! Sometimes choosing either/or has its pros and cons, but love that here :))

[Splurge]

It's a shame India didn't submit RRR as the country's Oscar submission. It's so great.

[prasannaighe]

The respect he has for his technicians and Film Making members, makes him infinitely better than other directors....
When taika was making fun of VFX artist, there are directors like SS Rajamouli who are humble and respects the Technician...

[fellawhofilms]

The initial beat of this song which Rama Raju plays on the drums is the same beat which Rama Raju uses to get noticed by Bheem when he is bit by the snake, also Bheem uses the same beat to find in which under ground cell Rama Raju was locked.

[karthik]

Leave aside the filmmaking aspect. Just look at this man’s vision, courage and audacity. He dreams big, and boy does he achieve his dreams in style. He broke language barriers, now breaking into global cinema and making a name for himself. I’ve basically grown up watching his movies and it’s surreal to see him achieve such great heights❤️ He’d be remembered as the guy who changed the Indian cinema landscape, at least at the commercial aspect and abt reaching out to a wider set of audience. SS Rajamouli, maa Jakanna😎💪. Oscars, vachestunnam.

[sangitapani]

Parliament officials allowed this as they heard : "NATO NATO".

[EmpressYanna]

This is the first fully Indian film I've ever seen and... Wow! Hollywood has nothing on this film! The dances, over the top fights, chemistry between the characters, ect are just amazing and so fun