A FEW DAYS AFTER he received the Oscar for Best Original Song for ‘Naatu Naatu’ from RRR, M.M. Keeravani received the “most wonderful gift from the universe”―a special video from Richard Carpenters of The Carpenters, the band that he had grown up listening to.
Keeravani’s Oscar acceptance speech had been an impromptu song in the tune of the Carpenters song ‘Top of the World’―a gesture that apparently touched Richard. “Heartfelt congratulations on your win for Best Original Song. Here is a little something from our family to you and yours,” Richard posted on Instagram, along with a video of him and his daughters giving a piano-backed rendition of the hit song.
“We’re on top of the world/ for your winning creation/ and we hope you know how proud of you we are. You’re the best there is around/ and we hope you know it now/ your win puts us at the top of the world.”
For Keeravani, 62, the journey to the top of the world had taken more than three decades. His discography spans nearly 200 films in half a dozen languages, and his accolades include two National Awards, eight Filmfare Awards, 11 Nandi Awards and a Golden Globe. Surely, Richard’s must have been the most precious gift.