What song won Oscar Best Song in 2024
At the 96th Academy Awards in 2024, the Oscar for Best Original Song was awarded to “Naatu Naatu” from the film RRR. The song was composed by M. M. Keeravani, with lyrics by Chandrabose and performed by Sid Sriram and M. M. Keeravani. This win highlighted the growing visibility of non-English soundtracks in major awards arenas and sparked sustained discussion about how global music is recognized by film institutions.
How the Oscar Best Song winner is selected
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences determines the winner through a multi-stage voting process that emphasizes peer review within specialist branches. Members submit nominations from eligible songs, then vote to choose the final winner. These rules are designed to align with the expertise of music professionals while providing checks against bloc voting. Understanding this governance helps explain why certain songs achieve long-term recognition and how institutions manage credibility and controversy.
The submission and nomination rules
To be eligible, a song must be original, written specifically for the film, and released within the eligibility year. Only songs that meet these criteria can be submitted by studios. The Music Branch Executive Committee reviews submissions and narrows the field to a slate of eligible contenders before presenting the nominees to the full membership for voting.
Voting timeline and voting body
Voting follows the Academy’s established schedule of nominations and final voting rounds. Members of the Music Branch typically conduct the initial nominations, after which all active members participate in the final ballot. This structure is intended to balance specialist insight with the broader perspectives of the Academy, shaping outcomes that reflect both expertise and institutional consensus.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Song | Naatu Naatu | Official credits |
| Film | RRR | Academy records |
| Composer | M. M. Keeravani | Studio materials |
| Lyricist | Chandrabose | Official credits |
| Performers | Sid Sriram, M. M. Keeravani | Release credits |
| Ceremony | 96th Academy Awards | Academy archives |
| Year | 2024 | Event records |
Key facts and context around the 2024 win
“Naatu Naatu” gained attention for its distinctive blend of Indian percussion, orchestral elements, and call-and-response vocals. Its win marked a notable moment for non-English cinema in major international awards. The song’s ongoing presence in global conversations reflects how soundtracks can become closely tied to a film’s identity and cultural reach. This profile helps explain why certain songs endure in public memory while others fade quickly.
Notable industry reactions
Industry figures highlighted the achievement as a milestone for broader representation in film music. Creators noted that the win could encourage studios and composers to invest in culturally specific yet universally resonant music. These perspectives underscore how awards outcomes can influence investment decisions and long-term strategies for international content.
Long-term relevance and legacy
For many audiences, “Naatu Naatu” remains closely associated with the cinematic scale and emotional arcs of RRR. The song benefits from recurring visibility on streaming platforms, live performances, and social media clips, which sustain its public profile. This durability is a sign of lasting cultural resonance, not only for the film but also for how its music continues to travel across borders.
How this Oscar win compares to other Best Song winners
Examining past winners reveals patterns in how songs are chosen and how they perform after the ceremony. Some winners are evergreen standards, while others are closely tied to a single film and fade from regular rotation. Comparing “Naatu Naatu” to these examples helps clarify what drives long-term recognition and how genre expectations shape perceptions of value.
| Metric | Estimate or Range | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Typical radio rotation for winner | Highly variable by song | Some songs become staples; others remain niche |
| Streaming performance post-win | Often increases, then plateaus | Depends on soundtrack strategy and film longevity |
| Ceremony longevity in highlight reels | Frequent for iconic moments | Clips circulate for years in awards coverage |
How eligibility rules shape the conversation
Debates about “Naatu Naatu” sometimes touch on eligibility interpretation, such as what counts as an original song and how language is treated in evaluation. Clear criteria reduce ambiguity, but subjective judgments about impact and memorability remain. An explicit breakdown of these standards can help audiences understand why certain songs are recognized and how institutions balance consistency with cultural context.
Why this win matters beyond the trophy
Beyond the immediate prestige, the 2024 Best Song win can affect how projects are developed and marketed. Studios and composers may weigh the potential for global reach against resource investment. For creators, the recognition offers proof that distinctive musical voices can find an audience, while also signaling that strategic partnerships and clear storytelling matter. This intersection of art and commerce shapes how future soundtracks are planned and funded.
How to evaluate future Oscar song wins
When assessing any future winner, consider criteria such as originality, integration with the film, vocal performance, and the track record of the creative team. Longevity depends not only on musical quality but also on how the song is promoted, archived, and discussed in the years after the ceremony. Framing analysis around these factors makes it easier to compare outcomes across different eras and genres, and to anticipate which songs are likely to remain relevant.