Dumb Charades Movie Names: 300+ Bollywood, Regional and Hollywood Titles by Difficulty and Era (Plus Rules and Signs)
By The Rondovo team · Published · Updated · 13 min read
Dumb charades is the Indian name for charades played with film titles: one player acts out a movie name without speaking, using a set of standard hand signs for "film", "number of words" and "sounds like", and their team has to guess it before the time runs out. Below are more than 300 dumb charades movie names: Bollywood titles sorted into easy, medium and difficult and then by era, plus regional cinema, Hollywood films, a kids' list, and non-movie categories (cartoons, food, proverbs) for children and mixed groups. The rules and every hand sign come first.
In short
- Two teams. The other team chooses the title and whispers it (or shows it) to the actor.
- No talking, no lip moving, no pointing at things in the room that spell the answer.
- Use the signs: film, number of words, which word, syllables, sounds like, short word, whole title.
- Two to three minutes per title for adults, a little longer for kids. One point per title guessed.
- Easy titles are short and concrete (Dhoom, Lagaan, Queen). Difficult ones are long or abstract (Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai).
How to play dumb charades
- Make two teams of three or more. Sit facing each other.
- The other team picks a title for your actor, writes it on a chit and shows only the actor. Picking for the other side is what makes it competitive.
- The actor signals the category (a film) and the number of words, then acts the title word by word, or the whole thing at once.
- Their team shouts guesses. The actor nods, points or waves to say warm or cold.
- The timer is usually two or three minutes. A correct guess in time scores one point.
- Swap sides. Each team gets the same number of turns, and the highest score wins.
Rules most groups agree on
- No sounds at all. No humming, whistling, clapping a beat or mouthing words. That is why it is called dumb charades.
- No spelling letters in the air and no pointing at a written word or a poster.
- You may point at things in the room (your nose, a door, the ceiling) only if the object is not the answer itself. Many groups allow pointing, some ban it. Decide first.
- The title must be real and known to at least someone in the room. A team cannot pick a film nobody on the other side has heard of.
- Hindi or English? Agree whether teams can pick Hindi, English and regional films, and whether the actor must say (by sign) which one it is.
Dumb charades signs (the standard hand signals)
These signs are understood in almost every Indian home, school and office. Teach them in one minute before the first round.
| What you want to say | The sign |
|---|---|
| It is a film | Wind an old film camera: one hand cranks in a circle beside your face |
| It is a song (for song rounds) | Open your mouth wide with a hand in front, as if singing |
| It is a book | Hold your palms together and open them like a book |
| It is a TV show | Draw a rectangle in the air |
| Number of words | Hold up that many fingers |
| Which word I am acting | Hold up fingers again (two fingers means the second word) |
| Number of syllables | Lay that many fingers on your forearm |
| Which syllable | Tap that many fingers on your forearm again |
| Sounds like | Tug your ear lobe, then act a word that rhymes |
| A short word (ka, ki, ke, ko, hai, the, a, of) | Hold your thumb and forefinger close together |
| The whole title at once | Sweep your arms in a big circle |
| Correct! | Touch your nose and point at the guesser |
| Close, keep going | Beckon with both hands |
| Make it longer or shorter | Stretch your hands apart or push them together |
| Plural | Hook your little finger |
| Past tense | Point backwards over your shoulder |
Hindi or English film: there is no single national sign, so agree one. Ours: a namaste before the camera crank for a Hindi film, tipping an imaginary hat for an English film, and drawing a big circle on the floor (a map) for a regional film.
Acting tips that win games
- Act the easiest word first, not the first word. "Dhoom" is easy, "Ki" is hard; do the easy one and let your team fill in.
- Small Hindi words (ka, ki, ke, hai, aur, ko, se) are usually guessed once the rest is out. Give the short word sign and move on.
- Use "sounds like" for words you cannot act. For "Jab", act a pocket (jeb) after the ear tug.
- Numbers in titles (3 Idiots, 12th Fail, 83) are easy: show the fingers.
- Famous scenes help for the whole title. A father releasing a hand on a train platform says more than ten word signs.
Easy dumb charades movie names (Bollywood)
Short titles or titles with words anyone can act. Good for kids, warm up rounds and grandparents.
Easy: classics (before 1990)
- Sholay
- Don
- Deewaar
- Zanjeer
- Coolie
- Mr. India
- Bobby
- Guide
- Anand
- Upkaar
- Junglee
- Hero
- Naseeb
- Karma
- Nagina
- Tezaab
- Chandni
- Ram Lakhan
- Disco Dancer
- Gol Maal
Easy: 1990s
- Dil
- Aashiqui
- Beta
- Darr
- Baazigar
- Khalnayak
- Mohra
- Karan Arjun
- Rangeela
- Border
- Ishq
- Pardes
- Judwaa
- Taal
- Soldier
- Ghulam
- Coolie No. 1
- Biwi No. 1
- Raja Hindustani
- Yes Boss
Easy: 2000s
- Lagaan
- Devdas
- Dhoom
- Black
- Krrish
- Fanaa
- Guru
- Ghajini
- Partner
- Welcome
- Dhamaal
- Race
- Fashion
- Paa
- Wanted
- Hungama
- Baghban
- Murder
- Gangster
- Kaante
Easy: 2010s
- Dabangg
- Housefull
- Singham
- Bodyguard
- Ready
- Rockstar
- Kick
- Queen
- PK
- Haider
- Sultan
- Dangal
- Pink
- Fan
- Airlift
- Tubelight
- Raid
- Stree
- Pad Man
- War
Easy: 2020s
- Ludo
- Shershaah
- 83
- Pathaan
- Jawan
- Animal
- Fighter
- Crew
- Munjya
- Bhediya
- 12th Fail
- Stree 2
- Shaitaan
- Chhaava
- Saiyaara
Medium dumb charades movie names (Bollywood)
Two to five words, mostly famous, but the actor has to work through several words.
Medium: classics (before 1990)
- Mother India
- Shree 420
- Teesri Manzil
- Jewel Thief
- Haathi Mere Saathi
- Seeta Aur Geeta
- Chupke Chupke
- Amar Akbar Anthony
- Kabhi Kabhie
- Trishul
- Kaala Patthar
- Mr. Natwarlal
- Satte Pe Satta
- Ek Duuje Ke Liye
- Maine Pyar Kiya
Medium: 1990s
- Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!
- Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
- Andaz Apna Apna
- Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
- Dil To Pagal Hai
- Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
- Hum Saath-Saath Hain
- Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar
- Main Khiladi Tu Anari
- Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke
- Akele Hum Akele Tum
- Bade Miyan Chote Miyan
- Hero No. 1
- Chachi 420
- 1942: A Love Story
Medium: 2000s
- Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai
- Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
- Dil Chahta Hai
- Kal Ho Naa Ho
- Koi... Mil Gaya
- Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.
- Main Hoon Na
- Mujhse Shaadi Karogi
- Bunty Aur Babli
- Rang De Basanti
- Lage Raho Munna Bhai
- Phir Hera Pheri
- Taare Zameen Par
- Chak De! India
- Jab We Met
- Om Shanti Om
- Bhool Bhulaiyaa
- Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
- Singh Is Kinng
- Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na
- 3 Idiots
- Love Aaj Kal
- Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani
- Wake Up Sid
- Jodhaa Akbar
Medium: 2010s
- Band Baaja Baaraat
- Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
- Ek Tha Tiger
- English Vinglish
- Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
- Chennai Express
- Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
- 2 States
- Bajrangi Bhaijaan
- Tanu Weds Manu Returns
- Dil Dhadakne Do
- Bajirao Mastani
- Toilet: Ek Prem Katha
- Hindi Medium
- Bareilly Ki Barfi
- Badhaai Ho
- Uri: The Surgical Strike
- Gully Boy
- Dream Girl
- Mission Mangal
Medium: 2020s
- Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior
- Gangubai Kathiawadi
- Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2
- Drishyam 2
- Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
- Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar
- Zara Hatke Zara Bachke
- Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya
- Laapataa Ladies
- Sitaare Zameen Par
Difficult dumb charades movie names (Hindi)
Long, abstract or less famous titles. These are the ones searched as "dumb charades hindi movies difficult". Use them for adult teams who know their cinema, and allow three minutes.
Difficult: classics (before 1990)
- Do Aankhen Barah Haath
- Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai
- Kaagaz Ke Phool
- Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi
- Mera Naam Joker
- Satyam Shivam Sundaram
- Muqaddar Ka Sikandar
- Pati Patni Aur Woh
- Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai
- Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro
- Chashme Buddoor
- Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho!
- Ek Ruka Hua Faisla
- Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro
- Chitchor
Difficult: 1990s and 2000s
- Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa
- Dil Se..
- Kya Kehna
- Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi
- Ab Tak Chhappan
- Khosla Ka Ghosla
- Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
- Pyaar Ke Side Effects
- Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!
- Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year
- Dev.D
- Kaminey
- A Wednesday!
- Saathiya
- Tere Naam
Difficult: 2010s
- Do Dooni Chaar
- Phas Gaye Re Obama
- Tere Bin Laden
- Saat Khoon Maaf
- Paan Singh Tomar
- Gangs of Wasseypur
- Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu
- Shuddh Desi Romance
- Kai Po Che!
- Lootera
- Hasee Toh Phasee
- Ankhon Dekhi
- Dum Laga Ke Haisha
- Kapoor & Sons
- Meri Pyaari Bindu
- Shubh Mangal Saavdhan
- Jagga Jasoos
- Mukkabaaz
- Sui Dhaaga
- Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga
Difficult: 2020s
- Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan
- Gulabo Sitabo
- Raat Akeli Hai
- Sardar Udham
- Badhaai Do
- Chandu Champion
Regional movie names for dumb charades
Mixed groups love a regional round. Tell the guessers which language first, with your agreed sign.
Tamil
- Roja
- Bombay
- Anniyan
- Sivaji
- Enthiran
- 96
- Kaithi
- Master
- Vikram
- Jailer
Telugu
- Magadheera
- Eega
- Baahubali: The Beginning
- Baahubali 2: The Conclusion
- Arjun Reddy
- Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo
- Pushpa: The Rise
- RRR
- Kalki 2898 AD
- Pushpa 2: The Rule
Malayalam
- Kilukkam
- Drishyam
- Bangalore Days
- Premam
- Kumbalangi Nights
- Minnal Murali
- Home
- Manjummel Boys
- Aavesham
- Bramayugam
Kannada
- Lucia
- Kirik Party
- K.G.F: Chapter 1
- Kantara
- 777 Charlie
Marathi
- Zapatlela
- Shwaas
- Sairat
- Natsamrat
- Baipan Bhari Deva
Bengali
- Pather Panchali
- Charulata
- Bhooter Bhabishyat
Punjabi
- Carry On Jatta
- Jatt & Juliet
- Angrej
- Sardaar Ji
- Qismat
- Chal Mera Putt
Gujarati
- Chhello Divas
- Wrong Side Raju
- Hellaro
- Chaal Jeevi Laiye!
Hollywood movie names for dumb charades
For an English round, or for a group with friends who do not watch Hindi films.
Easy: Titanic, Jaws, Avatar, Gravity, Up, Cars, Frozen, Barbie, Dune, Shrek, Home Alone, The Lion King, Finding Nemo, Toy Story, Spider-Man, Iron Man
Medium: Jurassic Park, The Godfather, Inception, Interstellar, The Matrix, Forrest Gump, Cast Away, Life of Pi, Slumdog Millionaire, Mamma Mia!, Back to the Future, The Dark Knight
Difficult: Oppenheimer, The Devil Wears Prada, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Avengers: Endgame, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Mission: Impossible, Everything Everywhere All at Once, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Dumb charades movie names for kids
Films that children in India have usually seen, and titles that are fun to act.
Hindi: Taare Zameen Par, Koi... Mil Gaya, Krrish, Mr. India, Makdee, Bhoothnath, Chillar Party, Stanley Ka Dabba, I Am Kalam, The Blue Umbrella, Hawa Hawai, Nil Battey Sannata, Jajantaram Mamantaram, Paa
English: Frozen, Moana, Coco, Encanto, Inside Out, Up, Cars, Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Kung Fu Panda, Minions, Shrek, The Jungle Book, The Lion King, Home Alone
Dumb charades for kids: words beyond movies
Young children often do not know enough film titles. Swap the film round for these categories. They also work for school, Children's Day and Independence Day events.
Cartoon characters: Chhota Bheem, Motu Patlu, Doraemon, Shin-chan, Peppa Pig, Tom and Jerry, Oggy and the Cockroaches, Mr. Bean, Spider-Man, Bal Hanuman
Indian food: pani puri, jalebi, dosa, idli, vada pav, momos, pav bhaji, rasgulla, ice gola, chole bhature, khichdi, popcorn
Games and sports: cricket, kabaddi, kho-kho, gilli danda, carrom, chess, badminton, swimming, skipping rope, hide and seek, kite flying, langdi
Festivals: lighting a diya on Diwali, throwing colour on Holi, tying a rakhi, flying kites on Sankranti, a snake boat race on Onam, carrying Ganesha home, decorating a Christmas tree, Eid hugs
Jobs: doctor, chaiwala, traffic police, dabbawala, astronaut, cricket umpire, pilot, teacher, barber, tailor, magician, postman
Animals with a habit: an elephant bathing, a monkey stealing a banana, a peacock dancing, a cow blocking the road, a frog catching a fly, a crocodile sneaking up
For hundreds more non-movie words sorted by age, see our charades ideas.
Dumb charades with idioms and proverbs (muhavare)
A harder round for teens and adults: act out a Hindi proverb, and the team must guess it word for word.
| Proverb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Naach na jaane aangan tedha | Blaming the floor for your bad dancing: making excuses |
| Ulta chor kotwal ko daante | The thief scolds the policeman: the guilty one blames others |
| Bandar kya jaane adrak ka swaad | A monkey does not know the taste of ginger: someone cannot value what they do not understand |
| Oont ke munh mein jeera | Cumin in a camel's mouth: far too little |
| Doodh ka jala chhaachh bhi phoonk phoonk kar peeta hai | Once burnt by milk, you blow even on buttermilk: once bitten, twice shy |
| Ek anaar sau beemar | One pomegranate, a hundred patients: too many wanting one thing |
| Aa bail mujhe maar | Come, bull, hit me: inviting trouble |
| Ghar ki murgi daal barabar | The home chicken is worth only dal: taking what you have for granted |
| Jal mein reh kar magar se bair | Living in water and fighting the crocodile: making enemies of the powerful people around you |
| Kaala akshar bhains barabar | A black letter is the same as a buffalo: someone who cannot read |
Ways to make dumb charades harder (or easier)
- Harder: one minute only; no word signs, whole title only; the other team picks a title from the difficult list; act two titles in one turn.
- Easier: three minutes; the actor may point at objects; allow one spoken hint per turn (the year, or the lead actor).
- Dumb charades with drawing: if the team is stuck after a minute, the actor can draw (no letters) on a sheet. Our online drawing games guide covers games built around this.
- Dumb charades with songs: act a song title instead of a film. Our antakshari rules has a dumb antakshari round built on the same idea.
Dumb charades online with friends
On a video call, the hard part is giving the actor a title the guessers cannot see. Options:
- Private message: the other team sends the title to the actor in a private chat, then the actor acts on camera.
- A word generator: free charades generators online give random words, though most have English words, not Hindi film titles.
- A party game that handles it: our own Act It Out is charades where the other team picks the first word of your turn. It is free: the host makes a room, everyone joins at rondovo.com on their own device with the four letter code, and on a call each person picks "Just this screen" while the actor stays on camera. The other team types and votes on a title (up to 40 characters, so even Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai fits), and only the actor's screen shows it. Once that title is guessed, the next ones in the turn come from our own English word deck, so for a film-only game, play one title per turn. The timer runs 45 to 120 seconds, there are up to three skips per turn, and it takes 4 to 16 players. It works in a living room too, with the scores on a TV if you connect one.
If your group prefers the forehead version, where the guesser holds up the word and the room gives clues, try Face Up. For a talking version with forbidden words, there is Hush, and for drawing, Scrawl. More game ideas for groups are in our kitty party games, sangeet games and the full list of party games.
Questions people ask
What are good Bollywood movie names for dumb charades?
For easy rounds: Sholay, Dhoom, Lagaan, Queen, Dangal, Krrish, Pathaan. For medium: Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, 3 Idiots, Jab We Met, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. For difficult: Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, Do Aankhen Barah Haath.
What are difficult Hindi movie names for dumb charades?
Long or abstract titles: Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai, Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro, Ek Ruka Hua Faisla, Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho!, Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!, Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year, Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga.
What is the sign for a movie in dumb charades?
Crank an old film camera: one hand turns in a circle beside your face. Then show the number of words with your fingers.
How do you show "sounds like" in dumb charades?
Tug your ear lobe, then act a word that rhymes with the one in the title.
What are good dumb charades for kids?
Short films kids know (Taare Zameen Par, Krrish, Frozen, Toy Story) or non-movie words: cartoon characters, Indian foods, sports, festivals and animals with a habit.
What is the difference between charades and dumb charades?
They are the same game. In India it is called dumb charades because the actor cannot make any sound, and it is mostly played with film titles.
Frozen, Moana, Coco, Encanto, Inside Out, Up, Cars, Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Kung Fu Panda, Minions, Shrek, The Jungle Book, The Lion King, Home Alone, Spider-Man, Iron Man, Avengers, Harry Potter, Mission: Impossible, Barbie, Jurassic Park, Pirates of the Caribbean, Chhota Bheem, Motu Patlu, Doraemon, Shin-chan, Peppa Pig, Tom and Jerry, Oggy and the Cockroaches and Mr. Bean are trademarks of their owners. Rondovo is not affiliated with them.