Oscars 2023: This actually happened!

Monday morning would have commenced unusually for film aficionados in India Abreast with the knowledge that three Indian films were competing for top titles at the worldrsquos biggest film awards night movie buffs would have kicked off their day groggily browsing through their phones to learn if we indeed did clinch an Oscar The country won not one but two titles making this event a historic one for Indian cinemaAt the 95th Academy Awards SS Rajamoulirsquos RRR took home the Best Original Song title for MM Keeravaanirsquos composition Naatu naatu The dance number that became an anthem of sorts in India acquired international acclaim after RRR began to pick up titles across international galas this yearKartiki Gonsalves and Guneet MongaGuneet Monga and Kartiki Gonsalvesrsquos The Elephant Whisperers earned the country its second Academy Award this year making this the first Indian production to win an Oscar RRR presenter Jayantilal Gada tells midday ldquoThe Oscars is always the dream and the ultimate goal for filmmakers We are humbled and grateful to Rajamouli ji for partnering with us The film has made India so proud I congratulate the entire teamrdquoAlso Read Shah Rukh Khan lauds RRR The Elephant Whisperers Oscar wins says truly inspirationalJr NTR SS Rajamouli and Ram Charan pay homage to India with their attiresGonsalves and Monga dedicated their win in the Best Documentary Short category to India The Netflix offering about the unbreakable bond between an abandoned elephant and its caretakers earned Monga her second Oscar after Period End of Sentence The 2019 film also earned her a title in the same category ldquoI stand here to speak of our connection with the natural world for the respect of indigenous communities and empathy towards other living beings we share a space withrdquo Gonsalves said dedicating the win to her ldquomotherland IndiardquoMonga who graced the stage in a pink Banarasi saree said in a statement ldquoThis is an incredibly powerful and historical moment We as two women from India stood on that global stage making this historic win An independent production house from India has made history to be the first ever Indian film by an Indian production to win an Oscar My heart is racing with all the joy love and excitement in the moment Today I can say the future for Indian cinema is audacious the future is here and not to forget the future is truly femalerdquoNaatu naatu act emerges to be Oscar highlightThe first song from an Indian film to win in the Best Original Song category Naatu naatu was pitted against the works of heavyweights like Lady Gaga and Rihanna both of whom performed their nominated songs Hold my hand and Lift me up at the gala The energetic performance to Naatu naatu which saw singers Kaala Bhairava and Rahul Sipligunj sing live on stage emerged to be the talking point of the night after it brought the audience to its feet MM Keeravaani singsTeam RRR was also lauded for celebrating Indian culture with their ensembles at the big night While Rajamouli took to the stage in a traditional dhoti and mauve silk kurta leading men Ram Charan and Jr NTR wore attires with statement embroidery that was reminiscent of their characters In an acceptance speech that was as joyful as it was hearttouching Keeravaani who had grown up consuming the music of American duo The Carpenters serenaded the audience with his take on their song Top of the world ldquoRRR has to win pride of every Indian and must put me on the top of the world sicrdquo the man of the moment sangThe big winner of the night was an American film about a Chinese immigrant It appeared that every second win was awarded to Everything Everywhere All at Once which took home seven of the eleven trophies it was nominated for The biggest titles of the night including Best Picture Best Director Best Original Screenplay Best Lead Actress Best Supporting Actress Best Supporting Actor and Best Editing were awarded to the Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert directorial venture It became the mostawarded film since 2008rsquos Slumdog Millionaire which earned eight titles in 2009In his celebrated comeback of sorts to Hollywood Brendan Fraser won the top nod in the acting category for The Whale which sees him as a morbidly obese teacher who tries to restore his relationship with his teenage daughter ldquoI started in this business 30 years ago and things didnrsquot come easily to me I want to say thank yourdquo he said Best dressedRihanna Cara Delevingne Cate Blanchett Lady Gaga and Zooey DeschanelMany firsts Malaysianborn actress Michelle Yeoh 60 became the first Asian woman to win the Oscar for Best Actress ldquoFor all the little boys and girls who look like me watching tonight this is a beacon of hope and possibilityrdquo she said ldquoAnd ladies donrsquot let anyone ever tell you yoursquore past your primerdquo Black Pantherrsquos costume designer Ruth E Carter became the first black woman to win two Oscars in the category Her win in the Best Costume Design segment this year followed her 2018 nod VietnameseAmerican actor Ke Huy Quan delivered an emotional speech as he traced his journey from being a refugee to an Oscar winner The Best Supporting Actor winner for Everything Everywhere All at Once is only the second Asian American to win in the category He likened his story to a film narrativeAlso Read Oscars 2023 lsquoI believe this is just the beginningrsquo says Jr NTR on win for Nattu Nattu song from lsquoRRRrsquoThe winners arePicture Everything Everywhere All at OnceActress Michelle Yeoh Everything Everywhere All at OnceActor Brendan Fraser The WhaleDirector Daniel Kwan Daniel Scheinert Everything Everywhere All at OnceOriginal Song Naatu naatu RRRDocumentary Feature NavalnyAdapted Screenplay Women TalkingOriginal Screenplay Everything Everywhere All at OnceCostume Design Black Panther Wakanda ForeverInternational Feature All Quiet on the Western FrontSupporting Actor Ke Huy Quan Everything Everywhere All at OnceAnimated Feature Guillermo Del Tororsquos PinocchioVisual Effects Avatar The Way of WaterCinematography All Quiet on the Western FrontSupporting Actress Jamie Lee Curtis Everything Everywhere All at OnceFilm Editing Everything Everywhere All at OnceScore All Quiet on the Western FrontSound Top Gun MaverickProduction Design All Quiet on the Western FrontMakeup and Hairstyling The WhaleDocumentary Short Subject The Elephant WhisperersShort Animated The Boy the Mole the Fox and the HorseShort Film Live Action An Irish Goodbye