Is the Movie Lion Based on a True Story? Plot and Ending Explained
by Hemalatha R | Updated Apr 28, 2023
Is the Movie Lion Based on a True Story?
The film Lion is based on a true story, as it is an adaptation of the memoir A Long Way Home written by Saroo Brierley. The book provides an account of Saroo's separation from his family in India and his subsequent adoption by an Australian couple. The book also details his quest to find his biological family after more than two decades.
Saroo's story gained significant media attention when it was first revealed to the public. The film Lion tells the story of Saroo's journey from a five-year-old boy who was adopted by an Australian couple to his emotional reunion with his biological family over 20 years later.
Lion Movie Plot Explained
The movie Lion is based on the real-life story of Saroo Brierley, who grew up in India with his family in a small village. One day, while accompanying his older brother Guddu to work, Saroo falls asleep on a train and wakes up hours later to find himself alone and far away from home. Unable to find his way back, he ends up living on the streets of Calcutta for months until he is taken to an orphanage and eventually adopted by an Australian couple.
Years later, while studying in Melbourne, Saroo begins to have flashbacks of his past and becomes obsessed with finding his birth family. With the help of Google Earth, he is able to locate his home village and reunite with his mother and sister. Along the way, he also learns that his brother Guddu died the same night they were separated.
The story highlights the challenges faced by many orphaned and lost children in India, as well as the complexities of adoption and the search for identity. It also shows the power of technology in helping people reconnect with their roots and families.
The movie received critical acclaim and was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Dev Patel, who played the adult Saroo, received a Best Supporting Actor nomination, and Nicole Kidman, who played Saroo's adoptive mother, also received praise for her performance.
Lion Movie Ending Explained
The film Lion depicts Saroo's search for his biological family after he was separated from them at a young age and adopted by an Australian couple. As a young adult, Saroo moves to Melbourne to study and begins a relationship with an American student named Lucy.
During a meal with Indian friends, Saroo recalls that he is not from Calcutta and has been lost for over two decades. His friends suggest he use Google Earth to locate his hometown, and Saroo embarks on a search that causes him to become emotionally disconnected from his adoptive family and Lucy.
Saroo's adoptive mother is in declining health when he visits her, and he discovers that she is not infertile, but rather chose to adopt children in need. While continuing his search, Saroo recognizes the rock formations where his mother worked and finds his hometown of Ganesh Talai in the Khandwa district. He shares his search with his adoptive mother, who supports him wholeheartedly.
Saroo returns to India and, with the help of a local English speaker, reunites with his biological mother and sister. Sadly, Saroo learns that his brother, Guddu, died after being hit by a train on the night they were separated. However, his mother never gave up hope that Saroo would return and remained in the village.
The film concludes with captions about the real Saroo's return to India in 2012, photos of his Australian family, and footage of Saroo introducing his adoptive mother to his biological mother, who deeply appreciates Sue's care for her son.
In a surprising twist, Saroo discovers that he has been mispronouncing his name for years and that it is actually Sheru, meaning "lion." The film Lion is an emotional portrayal of Saroo's journey to reconnect with his past and his family's unending love and hopes for his return.
Lion Cast
The below table contains detailed information about Lion cast
Dev Patel
Saroo Brierley
Rooney Mara
Lucy
David Wenham
John Brierley
Nicole Kidman
Sue Brierley
Divian Ladwa
Mantosh Brierley
Priyanka Bose
Kamla Munshi
Deepti Naval
Saroj Sood
Name
Character
Lion Trailer
Is the Movie Lion Based on a True Story - FAQs
The main character in the movie Lion is Saroo Brierley, who is based on a real-life person.
Saroo falls asleep on a train and wakes up hours later to find himself alone and far away from home. Unable to find his way back, he ends up living on the streets of Calcutta for months.
Saroo uses Google Earth to locate his birth village and eventually reunite with his mother and sister.
Lion sheds light on issues related to orphaned and lost children in India, as well as the complexities of adoption and the search for identity.
Lion was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor for Dev Patel, and Best Supporting Actress for Nicole Kidman.