As the world prepares for the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, scheduled to take place on January 11 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, the spotlight once again turns to global cinema and storytelling excellence. For Indian audiences, the ceremony will air in the early hours of Monday, January 12, at 6 am, drawing attention not only to this year’s nominees but also to India’s long, evolving relationship with one of Hollywood’s most influential award platforms.
While Indian cinema has often remained on the periphery of mainstream Western award shows, its journey at the Golden Globe Awards tells a compelling story—one of gradual recognition, creative breakthroughs, and global cultural impact. From a black-and-white social drama in the 1950s to a high-octane Telugu blockbuster that made the world dance, India’s presence at the Golden Globes reflects the changing perception of Indian storytelling on the global stage.
The Early Breakthrough: Do Aankhen Barah Haath and India’s First Golden Globe Moment
India’s first significant moment at the Golden Globe Awards dates back to 1957, a time when international cinema was still dominated by European and American narratives. Legendary filmmaker V Shantaram broke new ground with his socially driven film Do Aankhen Barah Haath.
The film, which explored themes of prison reform, human dignity, and redemption, earned international acclaim and was recognised at the Golden Globes with the Special Achievement Award, also known as the Samuel Goldwyn International Film Award. This honour marked India’s first Golden Globe win, placing Indian cinema firmly on the world map.
At a time when Indian films were rarely screened beyond South Asia, Do Aankhen Barah Haath demonstrated that stories rooted in Indian realities could resonate universally. The recognition was not just a win for one film—it was a symbolic opening of doors for Indian cinema internationally.
A Historic Triumph: Gandhi and India’s Golden Globe Dominance
The most defining chapter in India’s Golden Globe history came in 1983 with Richard Attenborough’s epic biographical film Gandhi. Though helmed by a British director, the film’s subject—Mahatma Gandhi, India’s freedom movement, and its colonial past—was deeply tied to Indian history and identity.
Gandhi achieved record-breaking success at the Golden Globes, winning multiple major awards, including:
Best Motion Picture (Drama)
Best Actor (Ben Kingsley)
Best Director (Richard Attenborough)
Best Screenplay
Best New Star
Best Foreign Film
This unprecedented success cemented the film as one of the most celebrated productions connected to India in Golden Globe history. Ben Kingsley’s portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi became iconic, earning widespread critical acclaim and global recognition.
he triumph of Gandhi signalled a shift in how stories about India were received internationally, proving that narratives from the subcontinent could command mainstream global attention when presented on a large cinematic scale.
Independent Voices Rise: Mira Nair’s Global Recognition
The late 1980s and early 2000s saw the emergence of independent Indian filmmakers who brought raw, authentic stories to global audiences. Among them, Mira Nair stood out as a powerful voice bridging Indian and international cinema.
In 1989, her gritty, emotionally charged film Salaam Bombay! earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. The film’s unflinching portrayal of street children in Mumbai captured global attention, though the award eventually went to Pelle the Conqueror.
More than a decade later, Nair returned to the Golden Globe spotlight with Monsoon Wedding in 2002. The film, which blended tradition, modernity, and complex family dynamics, received another nomination in the same category. Despite losing to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Monsoon Wedding enjoyed immense global success and became a cultural milestone.
Mira Nair’s repeated recognition highlighted the growing acceptance of Indian narratives beyond Bollywood glamour, focusing instead on realism, nuance, and cultural depth.
A Musical Milestone: AR Rahman’s Golden Globe Victory
A defining individual achievement for India came in 2009, when legendary composer AR Rahman won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score for Slumdog Millionaire. With this victory, Rahman became the first Indian to win a Golden Globe as an individual artist.
The film’s soundtrack, blending Indian musical traditions with contemporary global sounds, played a key role in its international success. Rahman’s win was not only a personal triumph but also a moment of national pride, showcasing India’s musical genius on the world stage.
Rahman returned to the Golden Globes in 2011 with a nomination for 127 Hours. Although he did not win that year, his consistent presence reinforced India’s growing influence in global film music.
The Global Phenomenon: RRR and Naatu Naatu
Nearly 14 years after Rahman’s historic win, Indian cinema returned to the Golden Globe spotlight in spectacular fashion with SS Rajamouli’s RRR. The Telugu-language epic captured global imagination with its grandeur, emotional storytelling, and technical brilliance.
At the Golden Globes, RRR received two major nominations:
Best Non-English Language Film
Best Original Song
While the film missed out on the language category, its song “Naatu Naatu” created history by winning Best Original Song. Composed by MM Keeravani and performed by Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava, the song transcended language barriers, becoming a viral sensation across continents.
The energetic choreography, infectious rhythm, and celebratory spirit of Naatu Naatu turned it into a global cultural moment. Its Golden Globe win marked a major milestone, reaffirming that Indian cinema—especially regional films—could compete and win on the world’s biggest stages.
Changing Perceptions of Indian Cinema
The success of RRR reflected a broader shift in how Indian cinema is perceived globally. No longer confined to niche audiences or diaspora viewership, Indian films are now being recognised for their storytelling ambition, technical innovation, and emotional universality.
Streaming platforms, global film festivals, and social media have played a crucial role in amplifying Indian content, allowing films like RRR to reach audiences who may never have encountered Indian cinema otherwise.
India at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards
While no Indian film has received a nomination at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, India’s presence will still be felt at the ceremony. Global icon Priyanka Chopra Jonas is set to appear as one of the presenters, continuing her association with the prestigious event.
Priyanka previously attended the Golden Globes in 2017 and 2020, and her return once again places an Indian face on one of Hollywood’s most watched nights. Her role as a presenter highlights the increasing visibility of Indian artists in global entertainment spaces.
The Road Ahead for Indian Cinema
India’s journey at the Golden Globe Awards reflects a story of persistence rather than instant success. From early artistic recognition to global musical triumphs and blockbuster breakthroughs, Indian cinema’s relationship with the Globes has evolved steadily over decades.
As Indian filmmakers experiment with diverse genres, languages, and storytelling formats, the possibility of more consistent recognition at international award platforms grows stronger. Regional cinema, in particular, has emerged as a powerful force capable of reshaping global perceptions of Indian films.
Conclusion
From Do Aankhen Barah Haath’s pioneering recognition in 1957 to RRR’s electrifying global moment, India’s journey at the Golden Globe Awards is one of resilience, creativity, and cultural exchange. Each milestone represents not just an award or nomination, but a step forward in sharing Indian stories with the world.
As the Golden Globes continue to evolve—now recognising television and even podcasts—India’s cinematic future on the global stage looks more promising than ever. The applause may come intermittently, but when it does, it echoes across generations.
