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Back in the late 1900s, films routinely ran for three to four hours, making lengthy runtimes the norm rather than the exception. Over the past decade, however, three-hour films became increasingly rare as filmmakers began favoring tighter narratives. Now, that trend appears to be reversing, with extended runtimes slowly making a strong comeback.

Until a few years ago, many directors and producers followed an unwritten rule, keeping film durations between 2 hours 30 minutes and 2 hours 45 minutes. With the explosive rise of smartphones and short-form entertainment, there was a widespread belief that modern audiences would struggle to stay engaged with three-hour-long films.

Recent blockbusters have challenged that assumption. Films like Animal, Pushpa 2: The Rule, and the recent release Dhurandhar have clearly demonstrated that runtime is no longer a barrier. When storytelling is gripping, audiences remain invested regardless of length. Conversely, even shorter films can feel exhausting if they fail to engage emotionally or narratively.

Filmmakers have always aspired to tell their stories in the most detailed and expansive manner possible. Encouraged by the massive success of films exceeding three hours and crossing the ₹1,000 crore mark at the box office, directors are now approaching longer runtimes with greater confidence, no longer treating duration as a strict limitation.

Strengthening this trend further, big-ticket projects like The Raja Saab and Jana Nayagan, currently in post-production, are reportedly locking runtimes of over 3 hours 10 minutes and 3 hours 5 minutes, respectively. Most recent pan-India spectacles, especially those mounted on a grand scale, are embracing longer durations—reinforcing the idea that three hours is fast becoming the new normal.

That said, the risk remains significant. If a lengthy film fails to sustain interest, its extended runtime can work against it, turning the viewing experience into a tiring ordeal rather than an immersive journey.