Did you know? Naatu Naatu is not the favourite song of RRR stars Jr NTR, Ram Charan

In a scenario strangely similar to what the team of Dev Patel, Anil Kapoor starrer Slumdog Millionaire faced prior to its Oscars win (for AR Rahman’s Jai Ho), many music buffs, post Naatu Naatu’s popularity, are continuing to debate if the song is the right representation of Indian cinema on a global pedestal. While the (never ending) discussion around the popularity of the RRR number goes on, we look back at what its lead stars Jr NTR, Ram Charan had said about the film’s album before its release.

Jr NTR, Ram Charan and composer MM Keeravaani had come together to discuss their association and various memories associated with the film. When MM Keeravaani, who was the host for the interview, asked the stars about their favourite songs in the album, Naatu Naatu didn’t feature in either of their responses. “While in terms of the film’s situation, Komuram Bheemudo is a favourite but honestly, on the whole, Dosti is my pick of the lot,” Jr NTR had said.

“The way Dosti brings together fire and water and two powerful characters, it has to be Dosti for me,” the Yamadonga star told. However, Janani impressed Ram Charan the most. “Irrespective of how many times I listen to it, Janani leaves me teary eyed,” the Magadheera actor said. While Naatu Naatu, sung by Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava, was lyricised by Chandrabose, Janani was a chorus number, composed and written by MM Keeravaani himself.

Some of the other popular songs in RRR include Raamam Raghavam, Etthara Jenda and Komma Uyyala. Naatu Naatu, which won the Best Original Song at the Golden Globe Awards, was also nominated for the Oscars in the same category. Written by Vijayendra Prasad and directed by SS Rajamouli, RRR also starred Ajay Devgn, Alia Bhatt, Shriya Saran, Olivia Morris, Samuthirakani. The film is now streaming on Disney+ Hotstar, ZEE5 and Netflix.