The historic win of “Naatu Naatu” for Best Original Song at the Oscars has been overshadowed by criticism over the live performance during the award show. Critics have called out the lack of South Asian representation in the performance’s choreography and ensemble dancers. The performance featured two lead dancers and was choreographed by “So You Think You Can Dance” duo Napoleon and Tabitha D’umo, neither of whom are of Indian descent.
There was also a lack of South Asian dancers in the ensemble, which has been deemed a missed opportunity for representation. Social media users have pointed out the lack of opportunities for South Asian artists in Hollywood, particularly on such a grand platform as the Oscars. Choreographer Joya Kazi shared on Instagram that there were “plenty of talented South Asian dancers and choreographers to choose from” and added that she was submitted for the performance but was told the choreographers wanted to work with dancers they already knew.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has not responded to the criticism, and it remains unclear how many of the dancers were of South Asian descent. “RRR” producer Raj Kapoor stated that he worked with the film’s creative team, including choreographer Prem Rakshith, who provided a video breakdown of the choreography that Napoleon and Tabitha D’umo translated to the stage.
This criticism highlights the ongoing issue of diversity and representation in Hollywood, particularly for underrepresented communities like the South Asian community. The lack of inclusion in this year’s Oscars performance is a reminder that there is still much work to be done to ensure that all voices and perspectives are represented in the entertainment industry.