In recent years, the trend of films with longer runtimes has become increasingly common. Directors often shoot extended versions of films and then cut them down during editing or turn the films into two parts.
However, this approach can impact the film’s overall quality and lead to financial losses for producers.
Also Read – Box Office: Dry Days Back For Tollywood
Recent examples include Salaar and Kalki 2898 AD, both of which had runtimes close to three hours. Many viewers found these lengths tiresome, though audiences are gradually becoming more accepting of lengthy pan-India films. They now expect a compelling narrative and high-quality world-building to justify the 3-hour plus runtime.
For NTR’s Devara, the initial cut of the first part was about three hours and ten minutes long. Efforts have been made to shorten it to two hours and fifty minutes.
Also Read – MNSH Trailer: Son Drama Packed with Emotion
The latest reports suggest that the final runtime will be approximately 2 hours and 58 minutes, and the film has received a U/A censor certificate.
Reducing the film’s length by twenty minutes proved challenging. The editing team managed to cut only 12-13 minutes from the final product.
Also Read – Rajendra Prasad’s Daughter Dies of a Heart Attack
To address the issue, director Koratala Siva reportedly shifted some scenes to the second part of the film. This adjustment carries the risk of creating narrative gaps, potentially disrupting the film’s flow.
Balancing the need to maintain a smooth narrative while adhering to a shorter runtime has been a complex task for filmmakers.