Fans of Jr NTR and Ram Charan have been eagerly awaiting their performance of the hit song ‘Naatu Naatu’ at the 95th Academy Awards.
However, they were disappointed to learn that the cast did not join singers Kaala Bhairava and Rahul Sipligunj on stage for the performance, which featured Lauren Gottlieb and other American dancers.
It has since been revealed that Tarak and Ram were initially approached to perform but had to back out due to a lack of rehearsal time.
Academy Awards producer Raj Kapoor told the Academy that Ram Charan and Gro NTR were not comfortable recreating the blockbuster due to the lack of rehearsal time.
“Originally, the two leads were the stars of the number alongside singers Rahul Sipligung and Kala Bhairava. The show was very helpful in helping secure work visas for their team to be able to come to the US to be part of the performance.”
“In late February, we were informed that Ram Charan and N.T. Rama Rao Jr. would be attending the Academy Awards, but they did not feel comfortable performing the live number on stage. The change was due to their other professional commitments and limited rehearsal time.”
For starters, while Ram was already in the US in February, Tarak landed in Los Angeles a little later due to the shooting schedule for his upcoming movie.
The original number was a workshop and rehearsed for two months and was shot over the course of 15 days. Natto Natto’s Oscars performance in Los Angeles was rehearsed with professional dancers for a total of 18 hours of rehearsal and 90 minutes of camera blocking.”
Although it was gratifying to see the two stars perform, their absence did not detract from the overall success of the performance.
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