Cinema VinesKannada actor Kiran Raj has addressed a viral social‑media clip that showed him being chased by a lion, after fans began to worry that the animal had attacked him. The footage, posted on Instagram, featured Raj walking away from a lion named Rocky, who appeared to lung forward and swipe at him even as a handler tried to restrain the animal. The clip quickly spread across platforms, with many users labeling it an “attack” and expressing concern for the actor’s safety.
In response, Raj uploaded a new video to clarify the situation. He explained that he has known Rocky since the animal was a cub and that the encounter was part of a training session for an upcoming project. “I have been training with Rocky since he was young,” Raj said. “I posted a glimpse of it for my fans. I want to be friendly with him and have started training now.” He added that all safety precautions were in place and urged viewers not to add misleading captions or background music that could distort the context.
The actor’s post included photos of him with two lions, Rocky and Roger, and a caption that read, “Day 1 of learning how to train a lion. Roger and Rocky, we will be friends soon.” He also shared a lesson about interacting with lions, advising that one should keep their face towards the animal and lean towards something strong. Despite the viral clip, Raj reassured his followers that he was unharmed: “Don’t worry guys, I am fine.”
Raj, who recently starred in the Kannada film Ronny: The Ruler (2024), has a background in journalism, holding a master’s degree and experience with The Times of India and Reader’s Digest. He remains active in both Kannada and Hindi television, having appeared in shows such as Tu Aashiqui, Divathe, and Kannadathi. The actor’s clarification came after fans and social‑media users urged him to stop spreading misinformation and to provide accurate information about the incident.
