Opinion: Should Films Opt For Lesser Runtime?

A decade ago, when films like Rangasthalam and Arjun Reddy were released with almost 3 hours runtime, many felt that the experiment would face backlash. But after those two went on to become epic blockbusters, many filmmakers who otherwise would make 2.5-hour movies have moved to 3 hours runtime. However, small filmmakers used to make only films that would last for 2 hours, to make the impact short and sweet. So what’s cooking now in this matter?

The success of Dhurandhar Part 1 and 2 has proved that even a 4-hour runtime can be a good one, provided with the fact that the movie is packed with content. However, when a movie’s scenes are not engaging, emotionally connecting, and the screenplay is tiresome, surely even 3 hours length of Toxic felt like watching a nightmare for hours. So, filmmakers should opt for a length that sells their content in the best possible way rather than making it too short at 2 hours, as the impact will be lessened, or making it too long, only to contribute to boredom.

That said, some exhibitors feel that if a film is just 2 hours, they could easily play 6-8 shows of that movie in a day. But if the film is 3 hours, then the shows will be cut down to 4-5 only. From exhibitors’ point of view, if more people can watch a film in the first 3 days through more shows, through 2-hour films, they can make more money. But that is a farcical argument.

Whether the film is 2 hours or 4 hours, the audience will watch it only if it is good and if the content is relatable. So filmmakers should keep in mind that they should decided runtime basing on the content they have, not for the sake of it.