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Quizzes > Movies

Gandhi movie questions: test your recall of the 1982 biopic

Quick, free Gandhi film trivia quiz. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Rachel BriginoUpdated Aug 23, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of Gandhi movie quiz trivia challenge on dark blue background

This quiz helps you recall key scenes, characters, and facts from Gandhi (1982). Work through thoughtful prompts, spot what you missed, and learn a few new details. For more film trivia, try the Gandhi film quiz, explore a general movie quiz, or take the Invictus movie questions.

Who directed the film Gandhi?
Richard Attenborough
David Lean
Martin Scorsese
Steven Spielberg
The 1982 film Gandhi was directed by Richard Attenborough, known for his career as an actor and director. Attenborough spent years developing and financing the biopic about Mahatma Gandhi. His vision and leadership were critical in bringing this epic to the screen.
In which year was the film Gandhi released?
1982
1984
1983
1981
Gandhi premiered in December 1982 and was released widely in late 1982. The film captured critical and audience acclaim soon after its release. Its timing coincided with a renewed international interest in nonviolent leadership.
Who played the lead role of Mahatma Gandhi?
Ben Kingsley
Amitabh Bachchan
Nigel Hawthorne
Arthur Kennedy
Sir Ben Kingsley portrayed Mahatma Gandhi, which earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor. His performance is widely regarded as iconic in biographical film portrayals. Kingsley's portrayal balanced Gandhi's humility and moral resolve in a nuanced way.
Which country produced the film Gandhi?
United Kingdom
United States
India
South Africa
Gandhi was produced primarily by British studios, notably Goldcrest Films and distributed by Columbia Pictures. While filming took place in India, its production was financed and overseen by UK producers. The film is often cited as a significant British cinematic achievement of the 1980s.
How many Academy Awards did Gandhi win?
7
10
5
8
Gandhi was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and won 8, including Best Picture and Best Director. Its multiple wins reflect its technical and narrative excellence. These awards helped cement its legacy as a landmark historical drama.
The film opens with Gandhi on his way to which city?
Mumbai
Johannesburg
Pietermaritzburg
London
Gandhi opens with the protagonist en route to Pietermaritzburg in South Africa in 1893. This journey sets up the pivotal train incident that defines his early activism. The location is significant as the scene where he was ejected from a first-class compartment.
Who composed the original score for Gandhi?
Hans Zimmer
John Williams
Ennio Morricone
Ravi Shankar
The film's score was composed by Indian sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar. He collaborated closely with producer Richard Attenborough to ensure the music authentically reflected Indian culture. His work on this score is celebrated for its emotional depth and cultural resonance.
What is the primary language spoken in the film Gandhi?
Hindi
English
Gujarati
Both English and Hindi
While the film features dialogue in multiple Indian languages for authenticity, English is the primary language used throughout. Key political discussions and many major scenes are conducted in English to reflect the colonial context. Subtitles are provided for non-English dialogue in the film.
Which incident in South Africa is dramatized as the catalyst for Gandhi's activism?
Pietermaritzburg train incident
Salt March
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
Champaran Satyagraha
The Pietermaritzburg train incident in 1893, where Gandhi was forcibly removed from a first-class carriage, is portrayed as his initial turning point. This event sparked his commitment to nonviolent protest and civil rights. It forms the dramatic opening sequence of the film.
Who portrays Kasturba Gandhi in the film?
Shabana Azmi
Rohini Hattangadi
Candice Bergen
Keira Knightley
Rohini Hattangadi plays Kasturba Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi's wife, in a critically praised performance. Her portrayal captures Kasturba's quiet strength and supportive partnership. Hattangadi received a BAFTA nomination for her role.
What strategy did Gandhi's non-cooperation movement primarily focus on?
Forming a new political party
Publishing anti-British literature
Violent rebellion
Boycotting British goods
Gandhi's non-cooperation movement of 1920 - 22 was centered on the boycott of British goods and institutions. It aimed to undermine the economic foundations of colonial rule through peaceful refusal. This mass movement galvanized large sections of Indian society against British authority.
Which renowned British actor played Lord Irwin in the film?
Nigel Hawthorne
Edward Fox
Kenneth Branagh
John Gielgud
John Gielgud portrays Lord Irwin, the Viceroy of India from 1926 to 1931, in the film. His performance brings a nuanced portrayal of the British administration. The scenes between Irwin and Gandhi dramatize the negotiations at the round-table conference.
True or False: Gandhi won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
False
True
Gandhi did not win the Palme d'Or at Cannes. It received major accolades at the Academy Awards and BAFTAs but was not a Palme d'Or recipient. The film did, however, win the Grand Jury Prize at Berlin and various international honors.
Who was the cinematographer for the film Gandhi?
Roger Deakins
Billy Williams
Sven Nykvist
Vittorio Storaro
Billy Williams served as the director of photography on Gandhi. His work earned the film a nomination for Best Cinematography at the Academy Awards. Williams captured the film's epic scale and period detail in India.
Which devotional song features prominently in the film's soundtrack?
Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram
Sare Jahan Se Achcha
Vande Mataram
Jana Gana Mana
"Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram" is featured prominently throughout the film and underscores Gandhi's spiritual convictions. The recurring song aligns with scenes highlighting nonviolent resistance and communal harmony. It has become strongly associated with Gandhi's philosophy.
Which official invited Gandhi to attend the Round Table Conference in London?
Lord Mountbatten
Neville Chamberlain
Winston Churchill
Lord Irwin
Lord Irwin, the Viceroy of India, invited Gandhi to the Second Round Table Conference in 1931. The conference aimed to discuss constitutional reforms in India. Gandhi attended as the sole representative of the Indian National Congress.
Who wrote the screenplay for Gandhi?
Richard Attenborough
David Robbins
John Briley
William Golding
American screenwriter John Briley wrote the screenplay for Gandhi, earning him an Academy Award. Briley conducted extensive research, drawing from Gandhi's writings and biographies. His script balances historical accuracy with dramatic storytelling.
Before his political activism, what was Gandhi's profession?
Teacher
Lawyer
Doctor
Journalist
Gandhi studied law in London and practiced as a barrister in South Africa. His experiences with racial discrimination during this period influenced his turn toward activism. The film portrays this professional background accurately in early scenes.
What was the approximate budget of the film Gandhi?
$13 million
$5 million
$20 million
$8 million
Gandhi was produced on an estimated budget of $13 million, substantial for its time. The funding was raised over several years through multiple backers. Despite cost concerns, the producers committed to an authentic portrayal, contributing to its success.
Which dramatic scene shows Gandhi intervening during communal violence in Calcutta?
Spinning wheel demonstration
Arrest at Birla House
Salt march protest
Burning train coach
The film includes a scene where Gandhi attempts to stop violence following a train carriage fire in Calcutta. His symbolic intervention highlights his commitment to nonviolence even in the face of communal tension. This moment underscores one of the film's most dramatic sequences.
At which prison was Gandhi incarcerated in 1922 according to the film?
Pretoria Central
Kilindini
Yerwada Central Prison
Madras Jail
The film depicts Gandhi's imprisonment at Yerwada Central Prison after his arrest during the Non-cooperation movement in 1922. Yerwada was a significant colonial penitentiary in Pune, India. This period in prison is dramatized to show Gandhi's resolve and the conditions he faced.
Who portrays Jawaharlal Nehru in the film Gandhi?
Naseeruddin Shah
Roshan Seth
Saeed Jaffrey
Shashi Kapoor
Actor Roshan Seth plays Jawaharlal Nehru, Gandhi's close associate and India's future prime minister. His portrayal captures Nehru's youthful energy and political ambition. Seth's performance adds depth to their dynamic relationship.
Gandhi's first fast in 1932, as shown in the film, was to protest which issue?
Separate electorates for Dalits
Partition of Bengal
Salt monopoly
British salt tax
In 1932, Gandhi fasted to protest the British plan for separate electorates for Dalits, which he feared would divide Hindu society. This fast is dramatized in the film as a pivotal moral stand. It led to the Poona Pact, modifying British proposals.
How long did Gandhi's 1932 fast last in the film's portrayal?
30 days
11 days
15 days
21 days
The film depicts Gandhi's 1932 fast lasting for 21 days, reflecting historical accounts of his protest against separate electorates. This prolonged period underscores his physical endurance and moral determination. It is one of the longest fasts shown in the movie.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Key Details -

    Test and sharpen your memory of major events, dialogues, and settings from the film Gandhi.

  2. Identify Memorable Scenes -

    Distinguish and describe iconic moments, enhancing your attention to the film's visual and narrative highlights.

  3. Analyze Character Motivations -

    Understand the driving forces and development of Gandhi and supporting characters by reflecting on quiz questions.

  4. Assess Historical Context -

    Connect the film's portrayal with real-world events and figures to evaluate its accuracy and depth.

  5. Enhance Engagement Through Competition -

    Use the free quiz format to challenge yourself or friends, turning film appreciation into a fun, social activity.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Colonial Backdrop and Timeline -

    Understanding the British Raj's impact on India (1858 - 1947) is key to recalling major events in the film. A simple mnemonic "18-15-30" (1888 Gandhi in London, 1915 return to India, 1930 Salt March) helps anchor pivotal moments. These dates align with documented archives from the Gandhi Heritage Portal and the British Library's India Office Records.

  2. South African Activism and Phoenix Settlement -

    Gandhi's early experiments in Satyagraha took shape at the Phoenix Settlement near Durban in 1904. Remember "3P" (Phoenix, Protest, Press) to recall his themes of building community, nonviolent resistance, and publishing viewpoints. This phase is detailed in the South African History Archive and Nelson Mandela's collected writings.

  3. Salt March and Civil Disobedience -

    The 1930 Dandi March dramatizes Gandhi's strategic use of nonviolent protest, covering 241 miles to make salt illegally. Use "SPICE" (Salt, Protest, India, Civil, Empowerment) to recall the rallying cry that galvanized nationwide support. Detailed accounts can be found in the National Archives of India and UNESCO's Memory of the World Register.

  4. Cinematic Techniques and Performance -

    Ben Kingsley's method acting earned him an Oscar by meticulously studying Gandhi's posture, voice, and salt-throwing gesture. Note the film's signature close-ups and chiaroscuro lighting, techniques highlighted in Richard Attenborough's director interviews at the British Film Institute. Film scholars often reference Cahiers du Cinéma and the BFI archives for in-depth analysis.

  5. Awards and Legacy -

    Gandhi won eight Academy Awards including Best Picture in 1983, underscoring its global impact. Recall "8 Oscars = 8 Pillars" to remember the film's wins: Picture, Director, Actor, Screenplay, Cinematography, Editing, Score, and Costume. These achievements are chronicled by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Film Foundation.

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