In a surreal moment that’s equal parts terrifying and hilarious, a man and a lion startled each other outside a cement factory in Gujarat—then bolted in opposite directions. The late-night encounter, captured on CCTV, has gone viral across social media, drawing reactions ranging from shock to laughter.
The Encounter: A Reverse Chase in Junagadh
The incident occurred around 10 PM near the gate of the Aadhar Cement Factory in Patapur village, Dungarpur, Junagadh district. A factory worker stepped out of the premises, unaware that a lion was approaching from the opposite side. As they turned a corner, both spotted each other—and immediately fled.
- The man sprinted back inside the factory.
- The lion retreated into the nearby forest.
- Social media users dubbed it “the fastest mutual exit in wildlife history.”
Retired IFS officer Susanta Nanda shared the clip on X (formerly Twitter), captioning it:
“Worker of the cement factory at Junagarh & a free-roaming lion accidentally meet each other. Both panic. You have just witnessed the rare reverse chase.”
Lions in the Neighborhood: A Common Sight
Factory owner Sagar Kotecha explained that lion sightings are frequent in the area due to its proximity to forest zones.
“Lions walk by like it’s their colony,” he said. “But yes, when one shows up that close at 10 PM, it shakes you up—especially if you’re not expecting it.”
Despite the regular appearances, no harm has ever come to factory workers. Still, the video underscores the blurred boundaries between human settlements and wildlife habitats in Gujarat.
Internet Reacts: “Darr Sabko Lagta Hai”
The video has sparked a wave of humorous reactions:
- “The lioness ran away out of shock, and for the man, it must be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
- “This proves that however powerful the wild cat may be, ‘Darr sabko lagta hai.’”
- “Man: Mout se bhag ke aya hoon. Lion: Khauf se bhag ke aya hoon.”
