From RRR winning Oscar to Diljit Dosanjh performing at Coachella, it was the year of many ‘firsts’

Shah Rukh Khan: Rewriting global box office records for Hindi films

 

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The year 2023 was the year of Shah Rukh Khan. It started with his January 25 release Pathaan, which broke Hindi cinema’s dry spell and started making profit in crores at the box office. And the spectacular run at the box office kept breaking more records along the way. So much so, that on the 28th day of the film’s release Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan became the first Hindi film to cross Rs 1000 crore mark at the box office worldwide. The film’s worldwide collection stopped at Rs 1055 crore after an exemplary nine week run.

Shah Rukh Khan touched a personal milestone for himself too. After the release of his second film Jawan, the superstar has become the only Indian actor to deliever not one but two Rs 1000 crore blockbusters worldwide. His third film Dunki released on Friday.

Naatu Naatu: Music Composer MM Keeravani’s composition becomes first Indian song to win an Oscar 

 

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Director SS Rajamouli’s Pan India film RRR being nominated for the 95th Academy Awards. The film, which was submitted as an independent entry created history when its song Naatu Naatu won Oscar Award in the Best Original Song category. The Oscar was received by Telugu music composer MM Keeravani and Chandrabose on the stage as they created history. Naatu Naatu has become the first Indian composition to win an Oscar award.

The Elephant Whisperer: First Indian production to win an Oscar

 

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Director Kartiki Gonsalves and producer Guneet Monga’s Netflix documentary The Elephant Whisperer won the 95th Academy Award in the Best Documentary Short category making it the first Indian film to win an Oscar award. The 41-minute  documentary showcases life of a couple Bomman and Bellie living in Tamil Nadu’s Mudumalai Tiger Reserve who end up adopting two orphan baby elephants. This documentary short became the first Indian production to win the honour. Besides this, Shaunak Sen’s All That Breathes also won an Oscar in Best Documentary Feature category, which is produced by Shaunak, Aman Mann and Teddy Leifer.

Diljit Dosanjh: First Punjabi singer to perform at Coachella Music Festival

 

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Singer Diljit Dosanjh’s roar at this year’s Coachella Music festival of “Punjabi Coachella aa gaye oye!” still resonates in the hearts of his fans. With his iconic two-day performance at the 22nd music festival in April this year, Diljit became the first ever Punjabi singer to perform at the Coachella stage, held at the Empire Polo Club in Indo, California. It wasn’t just his music, but his interaction with fans during his time onstage, also won hearts.

During his second-day’s performance, he said,”It is really hot in Coachella. Is it the heat or it’s because of the Punjabis here?”, inviting a thunderous applause from the audience.

Allu Arjun: Became first Telugu actor to win National Award in Best Actor category

 

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It was an emotional moment for Pushpa The Rise star Allu Arjun, when he was announced as a recipient of the National Award in the Best Actor category. Not only was it important because it was one of the highest national honour for an actor, winning this award also made Arjun the first Telugu actor to bring home a National Award in the Best Actor category. The actor won the award for his performance in 2021 film Pushpa The Rise, which eventually became a Pan India blockbuster film. The 69th National Awards were announced in August and given in September.

In a viral video, Pushpa actor is seen shedding tears of joy as his National Film Award was announced. The room was filled with cheer and his family members rejoiced with thunderous claps. Arjun’s father, well-known producer Allu Arvind also hugged the actor and getting emotional as everyone celebrated. The actor’s wife Sneha also celebrated the big win.

Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt: First Indian ambassadors to represent brands Louis Vuitton and Gucci

 

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Indian celebrities didn’t just make headway in the world of movies. They also transcended through boundaries of fashion and luxury clothing. It started with Deepika Padukone becoming the first Indian brand ambassador of luxury brand Louis Vuitton. She was part of LV’s campaign for their new Dauphine bags. She joined Emma Stone and Chinese actor Zhou Dongyu in endorsing the bags.

 

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Shortly, Alia Bhatt was announced the first Indian global ambassador of Italian fashion house Gucci. She also attended the Gucci Cruise 2024 show in Seol, which took place at the Gyeongbokgung Palace marking 25 years of the brand in the country.

Vir Das: First Indian comedian to win an International Emmy Award

 

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If music, movies and fashion was covered, performing arts didn’t lag behind. Actor comedian Vir Das became the first Indian comic to win the International Emmy award. He tied with the much acclaimed British series Derry Girls for the coveted prize. Vir won the coveted award for his Netflix special Vir Das: The Landing, making history. After winning the award, Vir told PTI, “The job is to take the beautiful chosen people of the world and humanise them a little bit by making an idiot out of myself… I hope we all just get sillier and continue to be fools.”

Ektaa Kapoor: First Indian woman filmmaker to receive International Directorate Award

 

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Vir Das was not the only Indian making history at the 51st International Emmy Award. Producer and Tv Czarina Ektaa Kapoor was honoured with the International Directorate Award, making her the first woman filmmaker to receive this honour. She said in a statement after her win, “I’m delighted to receive the prestigious Emmys Directorate Award! It brings me immense joy and happiness to be honoured at a global scale, such as this. I’ve always wanted to tell stories because they give me a chance to be heard, seen and represented. I am grateful for the audience’s love that has opened doors for me, allowing me to transition from television to the world of films and OTT. Each story that I told became a bridge to connect with audiences on many levels. The unexpected turns this journey took are a testament to the power of love showered by the people of India and beyond. My heart is filled with gratitude, and a stronger resolve to make a positive impact through my work for audiences.”