Movie Review - Gandhi by Nur Aisyah

a. State the movie title and explain why the movie has been choosing.

aisyahfaris640 — 2025-02-25 11:17:07 UTC

I chose Gandhi (1982) because it portrays the life and leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, a global symbol of nonviolent resistance, whose leadership and interpersonal skills were instrumental in India’s struggle for independence.

aisyahfaris640 — 2025-02-25 11:28:07 UTC

b. Brief description of the movie plot.

aisyahfaris640 — 2025-02-25 11:39:29 UTC

The movie chronicles Gandhi’s journey from a lawyer in South Africa to becoming the leader of India’s independence movement. It explores his principles of nonviolence (Ahimsa), civil disobedience, and his personal sacrifices for the nation.

c. What character demonstrated the leadership role in the film? How did the character acquire the leadership role? Describe the role of the leader who will be the central focus of your study.

aisyahfaris640 — 2025-02-25 11:49:50 UTC

Character Demonstrating Leadership: Mahatma Gandhi (played by Ben Kingsley)

How He Acquired Leadership:

Gandhi became a leader through his strong moral stance, commitment to justice, and ability to mobilize people through peaceful means.
His leadership emerged during his time in South Africa, where he fought against racial discrimination.
He gained prominence in India by leading nonviolent movements, including boycotts, civil disobedience, and peaceful protests.

Role of the Leader:

Gandhi served as the moral and strategic leader of India's independence movement.
He emphasized Ahimsa (nonviolence) and Satyagraha (truth force) as tools to challenge British rule.
He inspired millions through his speeches, fasts, and peaceful protests, uniting people from different backgrounds.

d. Include a basic description of the central issue, problem or goal facing the leader.

aisyahfaris640 — 2025-02-25 11:53:36 UTC

Gandhi’s main challenge was to achieve India’s independence from British rule without resorting to violence. He had to navigate conflicts between different religious and political groups while maintaining the principles of nonviolence and unity.

f. What interpersonal skills demonstrated by the character were instrumental in team achieving their goals.

aisyahfaris640 — 2025-02-25 12:08:04 UTC

Interpersonal Skills Displayed

Communication: Gandhi effectively communicates his vision of non-violence and independence to a diverse population. His speeches and writings mobilize people across social and religious divides.
Empathy: He connects with people from different backgrounds, including the poor, farmers, and oppressed communities.
Conflict Resolution: Gandhi mediates between conflicting groups, promoting unity between Hindus and Muslims.

e. Identify the specific trait, behaviour and manners of the chosen leaders that were exhibited in in the movies and refer to relevant theory to explain why the behaviors were appropriate or inappropriate (the context for action and the outcomes) in the situation faced by the leader.

aisyahfaris640 — 2025-02-25 12:25:15 UTC

1. Transformational Leadership Theory

Gandhi transformed the Indian independence movement by inspiring people through his vision of nonviolence (Ahimsa) and civil disobedience (Satyagraha).
He motivated millions to fight against British rule using peaceful resistance, which aligns with transformational leadership’s emphasis on motivation and morality.
His leadership fostered a deep sense of belonging and unity among followers.

2. Trait Leadership Theory

This theory suggests that leaders have inherent traits that make them successful.
- Integrity & Honesty: Gandhi advocated for truth (Satyagraha).
- Self-Confidence & Intelligence: Gandhi made bold strategic decisions against the British.
- Ambition & Energy: Gandhi led numerous movements, including the Salt March.
While he developed leadership skills over time, his natural traits positioned him as a leader.

3. Contingency Leadership Theory

This theory argues that effective leadership depends on situational factors.
- Gandhi used nonviolent resistance when confronting British oppression.
- Gandhi negotiated with political leaders when diplomacy was needed.
- Gandhi adjusted strategies based on changing public sentiment.

g. Did the character always demonstrated the effective leadership behaviour (the context for action and the outcomes)?

aisyahfaris640 — 2025-02-25 12:33:01 UTC

Gandhi consistently practiced his principles of nonviolence, even in the face of extreme provocation. However, some questioned whether his methods were always practical, especially during violent outbreaks like the Partition of India.

h. Explain with example the strengths and weaknesses exhibits by the chosen character.

aisyahfaris640 — 2025-02-25 12:36:41 UTC

Strengths:

Moral Integrity & Nonviolence: His ethical leadership and commitment to Satyagraha earned global respect.
Mass Mobilization: Inspired millions through peaceful resistance, leading major movements like the Salt March and Quit India Movement.

Weaknesses:

Over-Reliance on Moral Authority: His faith in ethical leadership was ineffective in some political negotiations.
Struggled to Control Extremism: Could not prevent violent factions within the movement or the Partition-related conflicts.

i. Choose quotes and selected incidents in the movie to support your conclusion about the leader’s behaviours and influence on followers.

aisyahfaris640 — 2025-02-25 12:50:03 UTC

Quote: “An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.” – Emphasizing his commitment to nonviolence.
Incident: Salt March (1930) – A pivotal act of civil disobedience against British rule, inspiring mass resistance.

j. Conclude your findings by answering the question how can the chosen movie help students and other people in understanding leadership and interpersonal skills and what can we learn from the leadership story in relation to current organizational challenges?

aisyahfaris640 — 2025-02-25 13:08:20 UTC

In my opinion, The movie Gandhi (1982) teaches valuable leadership and interpersonal skills through Gandhi’s principles of nonviolence, integrity, and resilience. His ability to lead by example, communicate effectively, resolve conflicts peacefully, and adapt to challenges makes him a great leader. His ethical leadership and commitment to justice remain relevant today, especially in promoting diversity, crisis management, and inspiring change in organizations. Gandhi’s story shows that true leadership is about serving others, staying principled, and uniting people toward a common goal, making his lessons timeless and applicable in any field.