London, Feb 9 (IANS): Acclaimed author Salman Rushdie has praised the film "Lion", based on the book by Saroo Brierley.

The true tale follows a 5-year-old (played by Sunny Pawar) who gets lost on the streets of Kolkata and is adopted by an Australian couple. Then, as an adult (played by Dev Patel), he goes to find his lost family.

"'Lion' is a beautiful film. It moved me deeply. (Sunny and Dev) are both outstanding ... and Nicole Kidman's monologue, in which she tells her adopted son the truth about his adoption, is the most powerful scene (and) another exceptional performance. I loved the moments when Saroo's past and present seem to fuse," Rushdie told pagesix.com.

Garth Davis won best first-time director for the film at Directors Guild Awards, and Greig Fraser got the top award from the American Society of Cinematographers.

Dev was honoured at the Santa Barbara Film Festival with the virtuoso award for breakthrough stars.