"The search begins"
Lion - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
I'm not from Calcutta... I'm lost.
— Saroo Brierley
Context:
Saroo says this to his friends at a dinner party after tasting jalebi, which has triggered his childhood memories. It is the first time he articulates the fundamental truth of his childhood that he has long suppressed.
Meaning:
This is a pivotal moment of self-realization for the adult Saroo. For twenty years, he has accepted Calcutta as his origin because it's where his documented life began. This declaration signifies the conscious start of his journey to reclaim his true past and acknowledge the deep-seated feeling of being disconnected from his roots.
I could have had kids... We chose not to. We wanted the two of you.
— Sue Brierley
Context:
Sue says this to Saroo after he apologizes for the difficulties he and his brother have caused her, assuming she adopted because she was infertile. Her honest, emotional confession clarifies her lifelong motivations and unconditional love.
Meaning:
This quote profoundly redefines Saroo's understanding of his adoption and his mother's love. He had always assumed he and Mantosh were a substitute for biological children, a source of guilt for him. Sue's revelation transforms her actions from a necessity to a deliberate, selfless choice, deepening their bond and absolving Saroo of his misplaced guilt.
Do you have any idea what it's like knowing my real brother and mother spend every day of their lives looking for me?
— Saroo Brierley
Context:
Saroo says this to Lucy during an argument when his obsession is pushing her away. He is trying to make her understand that his search is not a hobby, but a deeply felt moral and emotional imperative.
Meaning:
This quote captures the immense emotional weight and guilt that drives Saroo's obsessive search. It's not just about his own need to know, but about his profound empathy for the unimaginable pain his family must have endured for decades. It articulates the core reason his quest is so urgent and all-consuming.
I found her, but that doesn't change who you are.
— Saroo Brierley
Context:
Saroo leaves this emotional voicemail for Sue and John from India after he has successfully reunited with his biological mother, Kamla. It is his way of reassuring them of their place as his parents and sharing the joyful resolution of his search.
Meaning:
This line, left in a message for his adoptive parents, is the beautiful culmination of his journey. It expresses his ultimate realization that finding his birth mother doesn't diminish or replace the love he has for Sue and John. He has successfully integrated both families into his heart, achieving the wholeness he was seeking.