A ready list of 134 dumb charades movie names, all Bollywood films, split into easy, medium and hard, from Sholay and 3 Idiots to Pakeezah and Tumbbad. Print them as cards, or draw them one by one on a phone with a timer and team scores.
Dumb charades movie names cards to print (PDF)
These four pages show the dumb charades cards: the easy level with 12 films on a page, the hard level with 8 big cards, a small 20-card page in black and white, and the matching card backs. Click any picture for the PDF, or use the generator above to choose the level and the number of cards.
Print the dumb charades movie names cards
- Choose the deck, the level and how many cards fit on a page (8 big cards, 12, or 20 small ones).
- Add your own cards at the bottom: family names, inside jokes, films your group loves.
- Tick Card backs to add a matching back page (print double-sided, flip on the long edge).
- Press Download PDF or Print, cut along the dotted lines, and shuffle.
Play it now on a phone or a TV
No cards to cut? Use the game below. Pick a level, set the timer and let the game keep score for two teams. Put it on full screen on a laptop or TV for the whole room, and press Copy link to send the same shuffled deck to friends on a video call so everyone follows along.
Dumb charades rules (the Indian way)
- Split into two teams. One player from a team draws a card and acts out the film for their own team, without speaking or mouthing words.
- Start with the standard signs: make a film-reel gesture (turning a camera handle) for “movie”, then show the number of words with your fingers.
- Tap your forearm with one, two or three fingers to show which word you are acting, and pinch your fingers for “small word” (a, the, ki, ka).
- Tug your ear for “sounds like”, then act a rhyming word.
- The team has 90 seconds (or 60 for experts). A correct guess scores a point; then the other team plays.
Tips for a great round of dumb charades movie names
- Mixed ages? Play the easy level with grandparents and kids on the same team.
- Film buffs? Switch to hard: black-and-white classics and cult hits make even experts sweat.
- Bonus point: the team can win an extra point for naming the hero or singing a song from the film.
- Kitty party twist: act out only the song, not the film. Use our Bollywood music bingo list for ideas.
Dumb charades movie names list
Easy (44)
- Sholay
- Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
- Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
- 3 Idiots
- Lagaan
- Dangal
- PK
- Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
- Om Shanti Om
- Chak De! India
- Krrish
- Dhoom
- Don
- Devdas
- Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!
- Kal Ho Naa Ho
- Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.
- Taare Zameen Par
- Jab We Met
- Ghajini
- Bajrangi Bhaijaan
- Sultan
- Pathaan
- Jawan
- Main Hoon Na
- Koi Mil Gaya
- Mohabbatein
- Dil Chahta Hai
- Queen
- Chennai Express
- Ek Tha Tiger
- Singham
- Golmaal
- Hera Pheri
- Andaz Apna Apna
- Baazigar
- Karan Arjun
- Border
- Gadar
- Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai
- Race
- Housefull
- Welcome
- Dabangg
Medium (45)
- Mughal-e-Azam
- Mother India
- Anand
- Deewaar
- Amar Akbar Anthony
- Mr. India
- Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak
- Maine Pyar Kiya
- Dil Se..
- Rang De Basanti
- Black
- Swades
- Veer-Zaara
- Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
- My Name Is Khan
- Band Baaja Baaraat
- Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
- Rockstar
- Barfi!
- Kahaani
- Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
- 2 States
- Haider
- Piku
- Bajirao Mastani
- Padmaavat
- Raazi
- Andhadhun
- Stree
- Badhaai Ho
- Gully Boy
- War
- Shershaah
- 12th Fail
- Laapataa Ladies
- Drishyam
- Tanu Weds Manu
- Jolly LLB
- Kabir Singh
- Uri: The Surgical Strike
- Sanju
- Bhool Bhulaiyaa
- Jab Tak Hai Jaan
- Wake Up Sid
- Namaste London
Hard (45)
- Pakeezah
- Guide
- Chupke Chupke
- Padosan
- Mili
- Abhimaan
- Bawarchi
- Namak Halaal
- Silsila
- Masoom
- Ijaazat
- Chashme Buddoor
- Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro
- Mr. Natwarlal
- Satte Pe Satta
- Kaagaz Ke Phool
- Pyaasa
- Shree 420
- Awaara
- Do Bigha Zamin
- Madhumati
- Teesri Manzil
- Aradhana
- Kati Patang
- Amar Prem
- Zanjeer
- Kabhi Kabhie
- Trishul
- Sadma
- Mr. & Mrs. 55
- Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi
- Bobby
- Seeta Aur Geeta
- Khoobsurat
- Angoor
- Parinda
- Tezaab
- Chandni
- Lamhe
- Rangeela
- Satya
- Dil Dhadakne Do
- Masaan
- Newton
- Tumbbad
Dumb charades signs for movie names: what each gesture means
Dumb charades is the Indian name for the classic game, and the signs are the same in every home. Agree on these before the first round, and every team can play without arguments:
| Sign | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Turn an imaginary camera crank | It is a film |
| Show fingers | The number of words in the title |
| Tap your forearm with fingers | Which word you are acting |
| Pinch your fingers | A small word, such as “ka” or “the” |
| Tug your ear | Sounds like |
| Make a cutting gesture | Break the word into syllables |
| Wave both hands | Start again |
Dumb charades movie names: how long are the titles?
The number of words in a title decides how hard it is to act. The list has 134 dumb charades movie names, and the table shows how many titles have one, two, three or more words:
| Words in the title | Films | How to act them |
|---|---|---|
| 1 word | 70 | Skip the word count, then act the idea or the meaning of the title |
| 2 words | 27 | Act each word in turn, using the forearm signal |
| 3 words | 21 | Act the longest word first, and use the pinch for small words |
| 4 words | 15 | Break it into parts and act each part |
| 5 or more | 1 | Break the title into two parts and act one part at a time |
The longest titles on the list are Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Teams that are new to dumb charades movie names should start with one- and two-word films.
Dumb charades Bollywood movies for beginners
Dumb charades Bollywood movies are easiest when the title has one or two words and a clear picture, such as Sholay or Dangal. Start there and build up to the longer dumb charades movie names.
Bollywood dumb charades: acting out the meaning of a title
Many Hindi titles are ordinary words, and the best actors play the meaning. Here are ten titles from the list with their meanings and an idea for acting each one:
| Film | What the title means | How to act it |
|---|---|---|
| Sholay | Embers | Blow on glowing coals and fan them |
| Lagaan | Land tax | Hold out a hand as a tax collector, and mime handing over coins |
| Dangal | A wrestling match | Flex and wrestle with an invisible rival |
| Padosan | Neighbor (female) | Point next door and wave over the fence |
| Awaara | Vagabond | Wander with a bundle on a stick |
| Pyaasa | Thirsty | Mime a dry throat and gulp from a glass |
| Anand | Joy | Laugh out loud and spread your arms |
| Swades | Homeland | Point to the heart and then to a map of India |
| Baazigar | The gambler or one who wins after losing | Throw dice, then lose, then jump with joy |
| Black | A color | Touch something black or pull a curtain over your eyes |
How to play the dumb charades game online
To play dumb charades online, open the game above on the phone of the actor, and share the link on a video call. The actor acts on camera while the other players guess aloud or in the chat. The timer and the scores run on the host’s screen, so nobody needs to keep count. For a game with a printed deck, use the cards at the top of the page.
Dumb charades movie list for a kitty party
A dumb charades movie list of these movie names for a kitty party should start easy and end hard. Play the first round with the easy list so everyone gets a point, then switch to the medium list for the main game, and keep the hard list for the final. For more Bollywood fun, add a round of Bollywood emoji bingo, and for the story of the game see Wikipedia’s charades article.
Frequently asked questions
6 quick answers
How many dumb charades movie names are on the list?
134 Bollywood films: 44 easy, 45 medium and 45 hard. You can add your own titles before printing.
What are the hand signs in dumb charades?
The common ones: a turning-camera gesture for a film, fingers held up for the number of words, fingers on the forearm for which word, a pinch for a small word, and an ear tug for “sounds like”.
Can we play dumb charades online?
Yes. Open the game above on the actor’s phone, and share the link on a video call; the other players guess on camera. The timer and scores run on the host’s screen.
Is it free?
Yes: the cards, the PDF download and the online game are all free, with no sign-up.
What are good dumb charades movie names for beginners?
Start with the easy list: Sholay, 3 Idiots, Dangal, PK and Lagaan are well known and easy to act. Move to the medium list after the first round.
Is dumb charades the same as charades?
Yes. Dumb charades is the name used in India and elsewhere for charades, where players act without speaking. The rules and the signs are the same.