“Lion” tells the remarkable true story of Saroo Brierley, an Indian boy who was was dramatically separated from his mother at age of five, raised in Australia by adoptive parents and began a search for his original family 25 years later. Brierley eventually chronicled his story in his bestselling novel “A Long Way Home.” The film adaptation is an impressive feature debut for director Garth Davis and features nomination worthy turns by Dev Patel as the adult Saroo and Nicole Kidman as his Aussie mother, Sue Brierley. And, of course, there is the charismatic turn by Saroo Brierley as the young Sunny Pawar.
While he doesn’t appear for a good portion of the movie’s first half (hence the supporting actor qualification), “Lion” is arguably the most “adult” leading man performance of Patel’s career. The 26-year-old was in Los Angeles before the Governors Awards for a quick press jaunt for the movie and took some time to chat about what is arguably one of award season’s biggest crowd pleasers.
[Note: There are some slight spoilers during the interview.]
The Playlist: What about the project made you want to come on board?
Dev Patel: It was just an astounding script. I was just a puddle of tears once I finished reading it. The fact that this is based on real people and follows this young man’s incredible journey – Saroo Brierley — everything about it was desirable.
Did you meet with the real Saroo at all?
I managed to meet him when we went to shoot the Australian part of the film, but I actually the first thing I shot was the ending. So, that was the first scene I did in India was the ending. But, I did manage to meet him.
I believe you shot the final scene in the real village he was from in India. Was his real mother there when you filmed?
I think we did. I did get to meet his mother. She wasn’t there on the day but I did get to meet Kamla [Munshi eventually]. I don’t speak Hindi very well, but i had [the actress] there who plays her in the film and it was a beautiful moment and she held my hand and we cried together and it was really beautiful. That was the moment when I was like, ‘We really gotta do this story justice. It means so much to them.’
Was there anything Saroo told you that he said was important to him? Or was he just nicely supportive?
We sat down and had a really deep conversation and I asked him all these questions because I had yet to shoot a majority of the scenes in Australia which is where most of my stuff takes place. It was just about talking about what it was like being separated as a child. The feelings he had. The feelings of guilt living such a privileged life knowing his mother and brother in India could be scouring the train tracks every night searching for him and to see who he is now, this really confident, driven human being is really inspiring. And, again, adds more fuel to the fire. It makes you want to go on set and work even harder and give more of yourself for the role.
Did you meet Sunny beforehand?
Yeah, I was there a couple of weeks beforehand and Sunny is the perfect namesake. He’s a ray of sunshine and the most adorable little creature ever. It’s interesting this world because there is such a drastic difference between the child and the man. He effectively is playing an Indian and I’m playing an Australian who has lost his connection to India and goes back there as an alien. So, we didn’t really need to do much mimicry or anything like that.
The real story is quite incredible. Was there anything you found hard to believe?
It’s a real story and it’s such a miracle that it’s made for the movies. [The fact that] this young child could have such an incredible memory and be able to tap into those emotions. When you go through such horrific events as a human being sometimes you block them out and don’t remember them. For him to have such a photographic memory and remember so much information when it’s 20 years later and he’s surfing a laptop and looking at blurry pixels on a screen it’s just astounding. He really was searching for a needle in a haystack in space. That’s insane. Just the characters. Sue Brierley – the strength of her love and resilience of her character. All of it made for a really triumphant and inspiring story about love and humanity.
You have an incredible scene with Nicole Kidman where Sue talks about adopting Saroo. It’s a scene the audience is waiting for and will likely get her an Oscar nomination. Can you talk about what it was like filming that day?
I think that was one of the first scenes I shot with her and she is just a force to be reckoned with. And entering the space was just sacred. She was so in the zone and in the moment. She was looking out at the sea and was just acting and really drawing so much of her true self and her life experiences. She’s actually adopted children. So, when you’re watching someone be so honest and acting from the gut it’s a powerful thing.
What were your thoughts when you saw the final film?
I was blown away. When you hear the final score, when you see the audience reaction it’s hard to not be moved by it as a piece. Not by a narcissistic way because I’m in it but it promotes so much love and positivity and I think right now with what’s going on in the world politically it’s really a beautiful message to be putting out there of unity and love, y’know?
Did you finish shooting ‘Hotel Mumbai’ yet?
We’re still kind of shooting it actually. I’m going to finish a load of press for this and then in January I go back out and put the finishing touches on that film.
Can you tell us about it?
In 2008 there were these attacks at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel where these terrorists came in and a three-day long siege. The film is about the really. It’s been very intense. It’s a story very close to my heart and I’ve been very passionate about wanting to breathe live into it and be involved and just again, a staggering feat of humanity what the staff did in that hotel and it’s another beautiful story to come out of India that I hope will connect with a big international audience.
“Lion” is now playing in New York and Los Angeles.