When I choose a role it's either because I recognise the man, or that I'm very curious to know him. If I neither recognise nor know him, then it is better that I don't play him.

The audience agreed with the critics and Gandhi was a box-office success. Honours
Kingsley was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2000. He was made a knight bachelor in the 2002 New Year Honours.

He is also known for his performances in the films Schindler's List (1993) Sexy Beast (2000) Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010) and Hugo (2011). He is known for starring as Mohandas Gandhi in the film Gandhi in 1982 for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor. Kingsley was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2000 and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2002.