5 Films That Prove Longer Runtimes Can Hit Big

Indian audiences have never been afraid of a long film; We adopted them when the story gained scale. This is nothing new since the movie Sholay (1975), which lasted over 3 hours and remains a cultural landmark. Indian moviegoers have proven that if the story is compelling, length only enhances the experience. The fact that Sholay is in the news once again ahead of its re-release next week is a timely reminder that running time has never been a barrier to impact in Hindi cinema.

From sprawling epics to character-driven epics, some of India’s biggest cultural and box office successes have come from films that dared to take their time. These films use length to create worlds, conflicts, emotions, and payoffs that wouldn’t fit into a condensed two-hour running time.

Let’s look at some of the most immortal films of our time that refuse to fit into their stipulated time periods:

Gadar 2

The film leans fully on its emotional DNA, reminiscent of the original, weaving patriotism, risky action and family bonds. This time allows emotional reunions and the father-son relationship to be established properly rather than being rushed.

Animal

This is not a plot-driven movie; A psychological exploration of a flawed man. The length allows us to sit uncomfortably inside Ranbir Kapoor’s character, his love, his anger, his twisted loyalties, his messy moral code. Sandeep Reddy Vanga stages operatic numbers, stylish action sequences, multi-generational conflicts and explosive musical numbers.

Arjun Reddy

The film was designed as an emotional x-ray. Arjun’s heartbreak, self-sabotage, addiction, and slow repair all need some space. A shorter version would feel like highlights and disjointed. Vanga ensures that the full version feels immersive. What works is its rawness and the film gives you the ups and downs without rushing the transitions. Length becomes part of the film’s identity.

Pushpa 2: Rule

While the first part of Pushpa was the testing ground, Part 2 dramatically expands the universe, from politics to gang rivalries, from betrayals to the legend of Pushpa Raj. The film leans towards scale, with bigger stunts, bigger emotional events, and a larger-than-life hero myth.

Dhurandhar

Aditya Dhar takes the tradition to a new level by bringing together a formidable cast starring Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Arjun Rampal and Sara Arjun. Given the complexity of the story, shifting loyalties, undercover operations, political intrigue, underworld networks, betrayals, and expanding community arc, the film’s time alone is necessary.