The western gaze in RRR’s “Naatu Naatu” and the global appeal of Indian musicals
Faculty Advisor
Date
2025
Keywords
film dance, orientalism, RRR, "Naatu Naatu", Indian cinema
Abstract (summary)
The global popularity of the award-winning song-dance “Naatu Naatu” from the South Indian film RRR (2022) lies in its vibrant spectacle that intertwines cultural history, political themes, and gender expressions within the framework of Indian musicals. Using textual analysis, this paper investigates how the semiotic and performative aspects of “Naatu Naatu” created a new cultural appeal in the West by representing the postcolonial and nationalist Indian subject in an ultra-modern post-globalized environment. It reveals how the dance sequence’s entertainment value can overshadow its deeper cultural significance, illustrating the tension between global appeal and cultural authenticity.
Publication Information
Raj, S. J., & Suresh, A. K. (2025). The western gaze in RRR’s “Naatu Naatu” and the global appeal of Indian musicals. Dance Chronicle, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/01472526.2024.2446053
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