When India surprisingly chose not to select RRR as its official submission for Best International Feature Film, the calls began to nominate its stand-out song, “Naatu Naatu” for Best Original Song. After wins at the Golden Globes and Critics’ Choice Awards, that Oscar nomination did indeed follow and now it feels like our undisputed frontrunner.
That will be quite a feat, given this unassuming little Bollywood song is set to beat tracks from music heavyweights Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and David Byrne. Rihanna scored major press coverage with her recent Super Bowl performance, but her Oscar-nominated track “Lift Me Up” wasn’t part of her set (to be fair, it wouldn’t have really fit). Gaga has won this category before and we’ve now learnt she won’t even attend or perform at the ceremony. And Byrne’s surprise nomination is likely his true reward.
Then there’s 14-time nominee Diane Warren who landed her latest nomination on the back of being bestowed an Honorary Oscar back in November. While it would be lovely to see her finally win a competitive prize, you’d be hard-pressed to find many who’ve actually heard “Applause” or seen the film it features in (Tell it Like a Woman currently has one solitary review on Rotten Tomatoes). Once again, her nomination will be her prize.
Heading into the ceremony, “Naatu Naatu” has all the buzz and momentum. There’s a chance of an upset win for one of the divas (it will be awkward if it’s Gaga and she’s not even there), but the love for RRR has only grown in strength over the last few months and” “Naatu Naatu” will surely become only the fourth song not in the English language to win this category.
BEST ORIGINAL SONG PREDICTIONS:
1. “Naatu Naatu” – RRR (HR Pictures) – CCA, GG
Music by M.M. Keeravaani; Lyric by Chandrabose
2. “Lift Me Up” – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Walt Disney Studios) – CCA, GG, HMMA, SCL
Music by Tems, Rihanna, Ryan Coogler and Ludwig Göransson; Lyric by Tems and Ryan Coogler
3. “Hold My Hand” – Top Gun: Maverick (Paramount Pictures) – CCA, GG, HMMA, SCL
Music and Lyric by Lady Gaga and BloodPop
4. “This Is a Life” – Everything Everywhere All at Once (A24) – HMMA
Music by David Byrne, Ryan Lott & Mitski; Lyric by David Byrne and Ryan Lott
5. “Applause” – Tell It Like a Woman (Samuel Goldwyn Films) – HMMA, SCL
Music and Lyric by Diane Warren
Will win: “Naatu Naatu”
Should win: “Naatu Naatu”
Possible shocker: “Hold My Hand”