Gandhi begins with a quote about how every event can't be recorded, but a man's heart can be seen through the events that are recorded. Then, the film begins on January 30, 1948. Nathuram Godse, a young man, walks through a large crowd of people going to say prayers and looks back at a rough-looking man sitting on the side of the street. When the group arrives at their destination, Gandhi comes out, helped by a young woman. Then, Godse whips out a gun and shoots Gandhi.

Gandhi dies, and viewers are then transported to a huge funeral, where thousands of people watch on either side of the road with reverence for the great man. Broadcasters begin to chronicle the great but simple life of Gandhi as he led his people to freedom. Numerous people join the procession, including a white American.

The scene changes to...