DYK RRR's 'Naatu Naatu' Choreographer Prem Rakshith Was Denied Visa & Almost Couldn't Make It To Oscars 2023?

RRR is the most happening word right now in India. The Telugu film made on a whopping budget not only an insane amount of money from all over the world but also brought India its first-ever Oscar award for the 'Best Original Song' category. Directed by the visionary filmmaker SS Rajamouli, RRR, starring Ram Charan and Jr NTR has made waves at the global platform- Oscars 2023.

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Ram Charan and Jr NTR are known as one of the best dancers across the Indian film industries have swayed to the famous folk-fusion dance on 'Naatu Naatu', which was composed by MM Keeravani. For the same song that has lyrics penned by Chandrabose, a Golden Globe Award in 2023 followed by an Oscar Award back-to-back made the Telugu community, its people, and the entire Indian proud. To make a mention, another documentary 'The Elephant Whisperers' made originally in Tamil has won the first ever Oscar to India under the 'Best Documentary Category.'

MM Keeravani and Chandrabose went up the Academy Awards stage to collect their Oscar Awards, after a set of professional dancers grooved to the prestigious song as Playback singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava, MM Keeravani's son crooned live. However, it is safe to say that the credit of 'Naatu Naatu' equally belongs to the dance choreographer Prem Rakshith.

But, in an intense turn of events, Prem Rakshith was first denied a USA visa to attend the Oscar Awards event. Speaking about the crucial phase, Prem Rakshit said, "My visa got rejected at first. I was worried if I could ever make it to the Oscars, which is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

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Prem Rakshith then went on to say that Karthikeya, Rajamouli's stepson, Rama Rajamouli, and Keeravani's wife Valli have helped him get the visa just days before the event. He elaborated, "I finished work on Allu Arjun's Pushpa 2 and was waiting for the visa. I have been rejected for reasons that I don't know. However, Karthikeya, Rama garu, and Valli garu helped me get it. Finally, I was allowed a visa for only five days."

Talking about how he felt to see his dance movements on the Oscar Awards stage, Prem Rakshith shared, "I received a visa on March 10. Reached the US on the 11th and immediately started rehearsals. The performance came out well."

Talking about his experience of the Oscars, the most sought-after choreographer in the Tamil and Telugu industries said, "I have no words. I am at ground level and today I am recognized for my work. I would like to thank Rajamouli sir for this. I have composed steps to this song but what Naatu Naatu today is just because of him and his vision." He further added, "We got a standing ovation after the performance on the stage. I felt an emotional peak. I worked for two months on the song and it feels unbelievable today."