50 South Indian Cinema Quiz Questions and Answers

This page lists 50 real questions from the Quizlino South Indian Cinema Quiz category, each with four options, the correct answer and, where available, a short explanation. They are arranged from easy to hard, so you can start at the level that suits you. The full category contains 200 questions spread across its levels, so what you see here is a sample to study from, not the whole quiz.

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  • Cover the answer line, read the question and decide on your option first.
  • Check the answer, then read the explanation even if you were right.
  • Make a note of the questions you missed and come back to them after a few days.
  • When you feel ready, play the timed South Indian Cinema Quiz to test yourself properly.

South Indian Cinema: Easy Questions

Warm-up questions that most players can answer.

Q1. Which South Indian actor is popularly known as 'Thalapathy'?

  • A. Ajith Kumar
  • B. Vijay
  • C. Suriya
  • D. Dhanush

Answer: B. Vijay

Explanation: Actor Vijay is popularly known by the title 'Thalapathy' meaning 'commander'.

Q2. Which South Indian actor is popularly known as 'Thalaiva'?

  • A. Kamal Haasan
  • B. Mohanlal
  • C. Rajinikanth
  • D. Mammootty

Answer: C. Rajinikanth

Explanation: Rajinikanth is affectionately called 'Thalaiva', meaning 'leader', by fans.

Q3. The Tamil film industry is popularly known by which nickname?

  • A. Tollywood
  • B. Kollywood
  • C. Mollywood
  • D. Sandalwood

Answer: B. Kollywood

Explanation: The Tamil film industry, based in Chennai (Kodambakkam), is called Kollywood.

Q4. The Telugu film industry is popularly known by which nickname?

  • A. Kollywood
  • B. Tollywood
  • C. Mollywood
  • D. Bollywood

Answer: B. Tollywood

Explanation: The Telugu film industry is popularly known as Tollywood.

Q5. The Malayalam film industry is popularly known by which nickname?

  • A. Mollywood
  • B. Kollywood
  • C. Tollywood
  • D. Sandalwood

Answer: A. Mollywood

Explanation: The Malayalam film industry is popularly known as Mollywood.

Q6. The Kannada film industry, based in Karnataka, is popularly known as?

  • A. Tollywood
  • B. Mollywood
  • C. Sandalwood
  • D. Bollywood

Answer: C. Sandalwood

Explanation: The Kannada film industry is popularly nicknamed Sandalwood.

Q7. Which two-part epic film saga, directed by S. S. Rajamouli, tells the story of a king named Amarendra Baahubali?

  • A. RRR
  • B. Baahubali
  • C. KGF
  • D. Pushpa

Answer: B. Baahubali

Explanation: Baahubali: The Beginning and The Conclusion form Rajamouli's blockbuster saga.

Q8. Who directed the pan-India blockbuster film 'RRR'?

  • A. S. S. Rajamouli
  • B. Sukumar
  • C. Prashanth Neel
  • D. Lokesh Kanagaraj

Answer: A. S. S. Rajamouli

Explanation: S. S. Rajamouli directed RRR, a massive pan-India and global hit.

Q9. Which actor played the role of 'Bheem' in RRR?

  • A. Ram Charan
  • B. Jr. NTR
  • C. Allu Arjun
  • D. Yash

Answer: B. Jr. NTR

Explanation: Jr. NTR played the character Komaram Bheem in RRR.

Q10. Which actor played the role of 'Alluri Sitarama Raju' in RRR?

  • A. Jr. NTR
  • B. Prabhas
  • C. Ram Charan
  • D. Vijay Deverakonda

Answer: C. Ram Charan

Explanation: Ram Charan portrayed the freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju in RRR.

South Indian Cinema: Medium Questions

A step up in difficulty, for players who know the basics.

Q11. Which song from RRR won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2023?

  • A. Jai Ho
  • B. Naatu Naatu
  • C. Vande Mataram
  • D. Kalank

Answer: B. Naatu Naatu

Explanation: 'Naatu Naatu' from RRR won the Oscar for Best Original Song in 2023.

Q12. Which South Indian actress is popularly called the 'Lady Superstar'?

  • A. Trisha
  • B. Nayanthara
  • C. Samantha
  • D. Keerthy Suresh

Answer: B. Nayanthara

Explanation: Actress Nayanthara is popularly known as the 'Lady Superstar'.

Q13. Who directed the Baahubali film series?

  • A. Mani Ratnam
  • B. S. S. Rajamouli
  • C. Shankar
  • D. K. V. Vijayendra Prasad

Answer: B. S. S. Rajamouli

Explanation: S. S. Rajamouli directed both Baahubali films.

Q14. Which Malayalam actor is popularly nicknamed 'Mammookka' by fans?

  • A. Mohanlal
  • B. Mammootty
  • C. Dulquer Salmaan
  • D. Fahadh Faasil

Answer: B. Mammootty

Explanation: Veteran actor Mammootty is affectionately called 'Mammookka' by fans.

Q15. Which Malayalam actor is popularly nicknamed 'Lalettan'?

  • A. Mammootty
  • B. Suresh Gopi
  • C. Mohanlal
  • D. Prithviraj

Answer: C. Mohanlal

Explanation: Veteran actor Mohanlal is affectionately called 'Lalettan' by fans.

Q16. Which Kannada film, starring Yash, follows a slum boy who rises to control a gold mine?

  • A. Pushpa
  • B. RRR
  • C. KGF
  • D. Kantara

Answer: C. KGF

Explanation: K.G.F (Kolar Gold Fields), starring Yash, became a pan-India blockbuster.

Q17. Who plays the lead character 'Rocky' in the KGF film series?

  • A. Yash
  • B. Sudeep
  • C. Prashanth Neel
  • D. Sanjay Dutt

Answer: A. Yash

Explanation: Actor Yash plays the lead character Rocky Bhai in the KGF films.

Q18. Which Telugu star, son of megastar Chiranjeevi, played 'Pushpa Raj' in the Pushpa films?

  • A. Ram Charan
  • B. Allu Arjun
  • C. Nani
  • D. Vijay Deverakonda

Answer: B. Allu Arjun

Explanation: Allu Arjun, son of Chiranjeevi, plays Pushpa Raj in the Pushpa franchise.

Q19. The 2021 Telugu blockbuster 'Pushpa: The Rise' made the character 'Pushpa Raj' famous nationwide. Who directed it?

  • A. Sukumar
  • B. S. S. Rajamouli
  • C. Trivikram Srinivas
  • D. Koratala Siva

Answer: A. Sukumar

Explanation: Sukumar directed 'Pushpa: The Rise', starring Allu Arjun.

Q20. Which South Indian actor-politician, known as 'MGR', served as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu?

  • A. Sivaji Ganesan
  • B. M. G. Ramachandran
  • C. Rajinikanth
  • D. Kamal Haasan

Answer: B. M. G. Ramachandran

Explanation: M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) was a superstar-turned Tamil Nadu Chief Minister.

South Indian Cinema: Hard Questions

Challenging questions for confident players.

Q21. Who composed the music for both the Baahubali and RRR franchises?

  • A. A. R. Rahman
  • B. Ilaiyaraaja
  • C. M. M. Keeravani
  • D. Anirudh Ravichander

Answer: C. M. M. Keeravani

Explanation: M. M. Keeravani (M. M. Kreem) composed music for Baahubali and RRR, winning an Oscar for RRR's song.

Q22. Which Tamil director created the interconnected 'Lokesh Cinematic Universe' with films like Vikram and Master?

  • A. Vetrimaaran
  • B. Lokesh Kanagaraj
  • C. Mari Selvaraj
  • D. Karthik Subbaraj

Answer: B. Lokesh Kanagaraj

Explanation: Lokesh Kanagaraj is known for building an interconnected universe across his Tamil films.

Q23. Which film became the first Indian movie to gross over โ‚น1000 crore worldwide, in 2017?

  • A. Baahubali: The Beginning
  • B. 2.0
  • C. Baahubali 2: The Conclusion
  • D. RRR

Answer: C. Baahubali 2: The Conclusion

Explanation: Baahubali 2: The Conclusion was the first Indian film to cross โ‚น1000 crore worldwide.

Q24. Which actress played the powerful queen 'Sivagami' in the Baahubali series?

  • A. Anushka Shetty
  • B. Tamannaah
  • C. Ramya Krishnan
  • D. Nassar

Answer: C. Ramya Krishnan

Explanation: Ramya Krishnan played the formidable Queen Sivagami in the Baahubali films.

Q25. Which Malayalam director is known for the acclaimed thriller 'Drishyam', later remade in Hindi and Tamil?

  • A. Lal Jose
  • B. Jeethu Joseph
  • C. Aashiq Abu
  • D. Anwar Rasheed

Answer: B. Jeethu Joseph

Explanation: Jeethu Joseph directed the original Malayalam 'Drishyam', a huge critical and commercial success.

Q26. Who directed Rajinikanth's sci-fi film 'Enthiran' (Robot)?

  • A. S. Shankar
  • B. Mani Ratnam
  • C. K. S. Ravikumar
  • D. A. R. Murugadoss

Answer: A. S. Shankar

Explanation: Shankar is known for big-budget films like 'Enthiran', 'Indian' and '2.0'.

Q27. What is Rajinikanth's real name?

  • A. Rajendra Kumar
  • B. Shivaji Ganesan
  • C. Rajesh Rao Patil
  • D. Shivaji Rao Gaekwad

Answer: D. Shivaji Rao Gaekwad

Explanation: Rajinikanth was born Shivaji Rao Gaekwad in Bengaluru.

Q28. Which actor-director wrote, directed and starred in the Kannada hit 'Kantara'?

  • A. Rakshit Shetty
  • B. Rishab Shetty
  • C. Raj B. Shetty
  • D. Upendra

Answer: B. Rishab Shetty

Explanation: Rishab Shetty won the National Award for Best Actor for 'Kantara'.

Q29. In which film did Kamal Haasan play ten different roles?

  • A. Vishwaroopam
  • B. Indian
  • C. Dasavathaaram
  • D. Aalavandhan

Answer: C. Dasavathaaram

Explanation: Kamal Haasan played ten characters in 'Dasavathaaram' (2008).

Q30. What is Kamal Haasan's popular title among fans?

  • A. Thalaiva
  • B. Thala
  • C. Ulaganayagan
  • D. Makkal Selvan

Answer: C. Ulaganayagan

Explanation: 'Ulaganayagan' means 'Universal Hero'.

Q31. Which was A. R. Rahman's debut film as a composer?

  • A. Bombay
  • B. Roja
  • C. Gentleman
  • D. Thiruda Thiruda

Answer: B. Roja

Explanation: Mani Ratnam's 'Roja' (1992) launched Rahman's film career.

Q32. Who directed the 'Ponniyin Selvan' films?

  • A. S. Shankar
  • B. Vetrimaaran
  • C. Gautham Vasudev Menon
  • D. Mani Ratnam

Answer: D. Mani Ratnam

Explanation: Mani Ratnam released the two-part epic in 2022 and 2023.

Q33. 'Ponniyin Selvan' is based on a novel by which writer?

  • A. Kalki Krishnamurthy
  • B. Sujatha
  • C. Jayakanthan
  • D. Subramania Bharati

Answer: A. Kalki Krishnamurthy

Explanation: Kalki's historical novel about the Chola dynasty was first serialised in the 1950s.

Q34. Which actor played Vandiyathevan in 'Ponniyin Selvan'?

  • A. Vikram
  • B. Karthi
  • C. Jayam Ravi
  • D. Suriya

Answer: B. Karthi

Explanation: Karthi played the witty warrior Vandiyathevan.

Q35. Who played the lead role in the 2022 action film 'Vikram'?

  • A. Chiyaan Vikram
  • B. Vijay Sethupathi
  • C. Kamal Haasan
  • D. Fahadh Faasil

Answer: C. Kamal Haasan

Explanation: Kamal Haasan starred as Agent Vikram in Lokesh Kanagaraj's film.

South Indian Cinema: Expert Questions

The toughest questions in the category, for true fans of the subject.

Q36. The legendary Dr. Rajkumar was a superstar of which film industry?

  • A. Telugu
  • B. Tamil
  • C. Malayalam
  • D. Kannada

Answer: D. Kannada

Explanation: Dr. Rajkumar acted in over 200 Kannada films.

Q37. What was actor Puneeth Rajkumar's affectionate nickname?

  • A. Appu
  • B. Anna
  • C. Raju
  • D. Bujji

Answer: A. Appu

Explanation: Puneeth was called 'Appu' after his first lead film.

Q38. Which traditional ritual folk art is central to the film 'Kantara'?

  • A. Yakshagana
  • B. Kathakali
  • C. Theyyam
  • D. Bhoota Kola

Answer: D. Bhoota Kola

Explanation: Bhoota Kola is a spirit-worship ritual of coastal Karnataka.

Q39. Who directed the 'KGF' films?

  • A. Rishab Shetty
  • B. Prashanth Neel
  • C. Rakshit Shetty
  • D. Pawan Kumar

Answer: B. Prashanth Neel

Explanation: Prashanth Neel later directed 'Salaar'.

Q40. Which Kannada star is popularly known as 'Kichcha'?

  • A. Darshan
  • B. Yash
  • C. Sudeep
  • D. Shiva Rajkumar

Answer: C. Sudeep

Explanation: Kichcha Sudeep has also acted in Telugu and Hindi films.

Q41. Which Kannada actor is known as the 'Challenging Star'?

  • A. Sudeep
  • B. Ganesh
  • C. Darshan
  • D. Upendra

Answer: C. Darshan

Explanation: Darshan is one of Kannada cinema's biggest mass heroes.

Q42. What is actor Yash's real name?

  • A. Yashwant Kumar
  • B. Naveen Kumar Gowda
  • C. Naveen Rajkumar
  • D. Yash Raj Shetty

Answer: B. Naveen Kumar Gowda

Explanation: Yash became a pan-India star with 'KGF'.

Q43. The Kannada film '777 Charlie' is about a man's bond with what?

  • A. A horse
  • B. An elephant
  • C. A cat
  • D. A dog

Answer: D. A dog

Explanation: Rakshit Shetty stars alongside Charlie, a Labrador.

Q44. Which 2013 Kannada film became famous for being funded by the public (crowdfunding)?

  • A. Lucia
  • B. U Turn
  • C. Ulidavaru Kandanthe
  • D. Kirik Party

Answer: A. Lucia

Explanation: Pawan Kumar raised money for 'Lucia' from fans online.

Q45. In which city is the Kannada film industry mainly based?

  • A. Mysuru
  • B. Bengaluru
  • C. Mangaluru
  • D. Hubballi

Answer: B. Bengaluru

Explanation: Gandhinagar in Bengaluru is the traditional hub of Sandalwood.

Q46. Which legendary composer is known as 'Isaignani'?

  • A. A. R. Rahman
  • B. M. S. Viswanathan
  • C. Ilaiyaraaja
  • D. Deva

Answer: C. Ilaiyaraaja

Explanation: Ilaiyaraaja has composed music for over 1,000 films.

Q47. Which singer holds the Guinness record for recording the most songs by a male playback singer?

  • A. S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
  • B. K. J. Yesudas
  • C. Hariharan
  • D. Mano

Answer: A. S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

Explanation: SPB recorded tens of thousands of songs in many languages.

Q48. Who composed the music for 'Why This Kolaveri Di'?

  • A. G. V. Prakash Kumar
  • B. Yuvan Shankar Raja
  • C. Harris Jayaraj
  • D. Anirudh Ravichander

Answer: D. Anirudh Ravichander

Explanation: Anirudh was just 21 when the song went viral.

Q49. Who composed the music for 'Pushpa: The Rise'?

  • A. Devi Sri Prasad
  • B. S. Thaman
  • C. M. M. Keeravani
  • D. Anirudh Ravichander

Answer: A. Devi Sri Prasad

Explanation: DSP's songs 'Srivalli' and 'Oo Antava' became huge hits.

Q50. Which legendary singer is known as 'Gana Gandharvan'?

  • A. S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
  • B. P. Jayachandran
  • C. Unni Menon
  • D. K. J. Yesudas

Answer: D. K. J. Yesudas

Explanation: Yesudas has sung in many Indian languages for over six decades.

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