Ukraine’s Mariinsky Palace: The Location of Oscar-Winning Naatu Naatu’s Iconic Scene

Indian cinema recently added a new feather to its cap as Naatu Naatu won the Oscar for Best Original Song at the 95th Academy Awards. The song became a blockbuster as soon as the movie was released, and its location became the talk of the town.

But, did you know the song Naatu Naatu was shot in Ukraine’s Mariinsky Palace just before the war started? The palace, which is the official residence of Ukraine’s President, served as the perfect backdrop for the song and has now become a symbol of Ukraine’s rich culture.

In this article, we will explore the location, its history, and the impact of the movie on Ukraine’s culture, despite the ongoing conflict in the country.

Ukraine’s Mariinsky Palace

The Mariinsky Palace in Ukraine is the ideal location for the song. The palace was built in 1744 at the request of Russian Empress Elizaveta Petrovna by architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli.  It was gutted in a series of fires and remained in a state of disrepair for almost 50 years.

Permission to shoot at the Mariinsky Palace

Director SS Rajamouli revealed that they were fortunate to be granted permission to film at the palace. “Luckily, they allowed us to shoot because the Ukrainian president was a television actor,” he explained. The palace is also Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s official residence.

War-torn Kyiv

Apart from the palace, a few scenes from the film were shot in the now-war-torn Ukrainian city of Kyiv. Several local crew members who worked on the film are said to have taken up arms in order to resist Russia.

Shooting before the war

Interestingly, Naatu Naatu was shot shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine. The success of the film has brought attention to Ukraine and its culture, which is significant given the current conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Despite the ongoing conflict, the country continues to attract filmmakers and artists from around the world.

In conclusion, the location of Naatu Naatu’s song adds to its beauty and has now become a symbol of Ukraine’s rich culture. The movie’s success highlights the importance of cinema in bridging gaps between different cultures and the power of art to bring people together.