Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has announced a cash reward of Rs 10 million for popular singer Rahul Sipligunj, who rose to global fame through the Academy Award-winning song Naatu Naatu in RRR.

RRR is a 2022 epic period action drama film directed by SS Rajamouli, who co-wrote the screenplay with V Vijayendra Prasad.

The government announced the cash reward to Sipligunj on the occasion of the Bonalu festival, the chief minister's office said.

Reddy hailed Sipligunj as an inspiration for the youth of Telangana.

Before getting elected as chief minister, Reddy had announced financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh to Sipligunj and assured that his government would honour the singer.

Recently, during the Telangana Gaddar Film Awards, Reddy mentioned Sipligunj and stated that a government announcement would be made soon.

Naatu Naatu was the first Telugu song to be nominated in the 'Original Song' category at the Oscars. It won the award, trumping big names such as Rihanna and Lady Gaga.

The song was also released in Tamil as Naattu Koothu, in Kannada as Halli Naatu', in Malayalam as Karinthol and in Hindi as Naacho Naacho.

The composition by MM Keeravani, rendition by singers Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava, choreography by Prem Rakshith, and lyrics by Chandrabose made the song a dance craze.

RRR is a fictional story based on the lives of two Telugu freedom fighters, Alluri Seetharama Raju and Komaram Bheem. Ram Charan and NT Rama Rao Junior played the lead roles.

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