Sukumar, Vanga & Aditya Dhar: Audience Mindset Changing?

Runtime has become one of the most discussed topics in modern filmmaking. Earlier, a director planned the story first and later decided the final runtime after watching the rough cut. If the duration exceeded the expected length, he removed scenes, even good ones, just to match the traditional runtime. In the film reel era, trimming a movie was a difficult and time consuming process. However, after the digital transformation, editing became much easier and directors gained the freedom to shape films without technical limitations.

For many years, audiences strongly believed that a movie must end within two and a half hours. That mindset influenced filmmakers, producers, and even distributors. But now things are changing. Recent films proved that audiences do not reject long runtimes if the screenplay is gripping and the pacing remains tight. Movies like Sukumar’s Pushpa 2, Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal, and even smaller films have shown that viewers are ready to watch a three-hour film if the content keeps them engaged.

Ranveer Singh’s recent film Dhurandhar directed by Aditya Dhar is another example. Its runtime is long, yet the audience accepted it because the story remained entertaining and emotionally engaging throughout. This success clearly shows that runtime alone does not decide the fate of a film. What matters is how well the director tells the story and how effectively he holds the audience’s attention.

A long runtime becomes a problem only when the film drags or includes unnecessary scenes. If viewers start feeling bored or disconnected, negativity spreads from the next show onward. However, if the storytelling remains sharp and interesting, the audience often says, we wish the film was even longer.

So the trend is shifting. In the coming years, many directors may confidently make three-hour films as long as the screenplay supports the length. The key rule is simple. Content should justify time. If a movie earns that balance, runtime becomes a strength and not a burden.