An Indian princess whose home town was in Norfolk has inspired a new landmark movie.

A joint UK-India production team are filming Lioness, which documents the life of suffragette Princess Sophia Duleep Singh, who grew up near Thetford.

Former Emmerdale actress Paige Sandhu, who will play Sophia, was welcomed to the town's Ancient House Museum in Thetford with members of the production team as part of their research for the film.

Eastern Daily Press: From left, Stuart Wright, mayor of Thetford; Melissa Hawker, Ancient House learning officer; Paige Sandhu, actress and Peter Bance, historianFrom left, Stuart Wright, mayor of Thetford; Melissa Hawker, Ancient House learning officer; Paige Sandhu, actress and Peter Bance, historian (Image: Norfolk Museums Service)

Ancient House has connections and collections relating to Sophia Duleep Singh and her family.

The museum itself was purchased for the town by her brother, Prince Frederick Duleep Singh.

Miss Sandhu said she was excited to be playing Sophia in the movie.

She added: "I am very humbled to be portraying someone with a legacy such as hers, the work that she did, the lives she helped and the family she came from.

Eastern Daily Press: Ancient House Museum, ThetfordAncient House Museum, Thetford (Image: Ancient House Museum, Thetford)

"I truly hope to do justice to her incredible story."

Director Kajri Babbar said the visit was "overwhelming". 

"It's a big legacy that we are taking forward and that we are talking about," he said. "It was emotional."

Melissa Hawker, learning officer at Ancient House, said: “We have been sharing Sophia’s story with visitors for many years and it is wonderful to have this feature film to spread her story to a wider audience."

Eastern Daily Press: Elveden Hall, where Princess Sophia Duleep Singh grew upElveden Hall, where Princess Sophia Duleep Singh grew up (Image: Denise Bradley)

The Duleep Singhs, the last Royal family of the Punjab, lived at Elveden Hall, near Thetford.

Born in London in 1876 and raised on the estate, Princess Sophia was a leading member of the movement for women's rights and in the suffragette cause.

Eastern Daily Press: A commemorative stamp shows Princess Sophie Duleep Singh selling protest paper The SuffragetteA commemorative stamp shows Princess Sophie Duleep Singh selling protest paper The Suffragette (Image: Royal Mail)

She took part in 'Black Friday' on November 18, 1910, when activists calling for votes for women marched on parliament and were met with a violent response from police.

Eastern Daily Press: Suffragettes on the march in LondonSuffragettes on the march in London (Image: PA Archive)

In 1911 Sophia, who died in 1948, threw a poster calling for women to be given the vote at prime minister Herbert Asquith's car. 

Women over the age of 30 were given the right to vote in 1918 and in 1928 they got the vote on the same terms as men.