Singha: India’s First Feature Film with a Real Lion Roars into Global Cinema

At a time when computer-generated imagery dominates Indian cinema, Singha takes a bold leap by placing a real lion at the centre of its narrative. Directed by K.C. Ravi Devan and produced by V. Mathiyalagan, the film is being billed as India’s first full-length feature to use a live lion in key sequences.

The multilingual production is being simultaneously shot in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi. The lead role is played by Shrrita Rao, known for Lenin Pandian and Kumki 2. Filming took place across international locations including Malaysia, Zambia, and Goa.

Film critic R. Bharathi noted, “What sets Singha apart is not just the spectacle of a lion on screen, but the decision to ground that spectacle in real interaction. This isn’t about VFX trickery—it is about testing the limits of performance and direction.”

Safety has been a central focus for the team. “We are making this challenging film by strictly following all required protocols and guidelines,” director Devan said.

The casting journey was equally demanding. Several actors declined the role before Shrrita Rao accepted. “It is not every day that you act opposite a lion,” she said. “The unpredictability of the animal changes the way you respond as an actor. It is raw and instinctive.”

The film also features a daring negative role that required acting alongside 300 wolves, eventually offered to Leesha Eclairs of 1945 and Jawan. “A negative female character in the film had to act with 300 wolves. After a rigorous search, we found the right fearless actress,” Devan explained.

Film critic Anusha Krishnan remarked, “Indian cinema has shown animals as symbols of strength and divinity, but rarely has it placed them in such close interaction with performers. Singha could redefine how animals are portrayed—not as props, but as active participants in storytelling.”

With international locations and bold animal sequences, Singha is positioned as a pan-Indian film aimed at a global audience. “Since the story is global, we are making Singha as a pan-Indian film. We believe that everyone, from children to adults, will enjoy this film,” Devan added.

The film’s technical crew includes music by Amrish, dialogues by Kannan Selvaraj, cinematography by P.G. Muthiah, production design by Hasini Pavithra, and editing by Tamil Arasan.