It wasn’t too long ago that foreign-film viewers would poke fun at Indian cinema’s song-and-dance routine. Slowly and surely, it caught their interest, and eventually won them over. M M Keeravani’s win at the 80th Golden Globe Awards yesterday represented just that—a celebration of a song that was all things Indian. RRR’s Naatu naatu, which was adjudged the best original song, has an upbeat traditional score and a choreography that’s as desi as it can get. Indian musicians say it is this rare combination that has been admired by the West.

Keeravani at the Golden Globes. Pic/PTI