The success of Dhurandhar: The Revenge has once again sparked discussions about the impact of film runtime on box office performance in India. Despite its extended duration, the film is receiving strong audience response, reinforcing the idea that length is not necessarily a barrier to success.

The first installment, Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh and directed by Aditya Dhar, was released on December 5 last year with a runtime of 3 hours and 34 minutes. Despite its length, the film emerged as a massive commercial success, reportedly collecting over ₹1,350 crore worldwide.

The sequel, released on March 19, runs even longer at 3 hours and 49 minutes. Early trade reports indicate that Dhurandhar: The Revenge is also performing well at the box office. Industry experts suggest that the film’s success further proves that audiences are willing to engage with lengthy narratives if the content is compelling.

Historically, long-duration films have found acceptance among Indian audiences. As early as 1932, Indrasabha set a benchmark with a runtime of approximately 211 minutes and featured an unprecedented number of songs. In Telugu cinema, Danaveerasura Karna (1977), featuring NTR in multiple roles, also stood out as one of the longest films and achieved significant success.

Several other classic films such as Suvarnasundari (1957), Sampoorna Ramayana (1958), and Lava Kusha (1963) exceeded three and a half hours in length and were widely appreciated. More recently, Pushpa 2 also performed strongly despite a runtime exceeding three hours.

However, not all long films have succeeded. A notable example is Mera Naam Joker (1970), directed by and starring Raj Kapoor, which had a runtime of over four hours. The film initially struggled at the box office, though a shorter version later gained better reception.

Film analysts emphasize that while runtime can influence audience engagement, the success of a film ultimately depends on its storytelling and narrative strength. If the content resonates with viewers, even extended runtimes can be embraced. The back-to-back success of both Dhurandhar films may encourage filmmakers to explore more expansive storytelling formats in the future.