PremiumAs Ranbir Kapoor's Animal runtime creates a stir, here are the 7 longest Bollywood movies
From Mera Naam Joker to Jodhaa Akbar, movies that made headlines for their runtime.
Last Updated: 05.32 PM, Nov 27, 2023
2023 felt like we have traveled back in time. The buzz around theatrical releases was back. A Karan Johar movie released and stormed the big screen to reign for a while. Two Shah Rukh Khan releases created thunder like no other. Some very interesting movies found an audience, and it felt like a year for all kinds of cinema. Maybe the pandemic and the lockdown taught a thing or two to the world. Now, as we end the year, there is Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, and SRK waiting for us with "Animal," "Sam Bahadur," and "Dunki."
While "Animal" has a lot of buzz around it and the conversations about the movie have a lot to say, the movie that is directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and stars Ranbir with Rashmika Mandanna is now in the limelight for its massive runtime. The movie is 3 hours 21 minutes long, and it has to be the longest post-pandemic and in recent times.
So while Ranbir Kapoor’s "Animal" is inching closer to release this week , we thought of compiling the seven lengthiest movies in Bollywood. The last one will leave you surprised.
Jodhaa Akbar: (2008)
We know you were low-key expecting this one to be on the list because the biggest thing that was discussed about the Ashutosh Gowarikar directorial was its long runtime. But what if we tell you it is the shortest one on this list? Well, yes. Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan starrer was 3 hours 34 minutes, which while is a very long runtime, is technically not so surprising if you read the list below.
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna: (2006)
Yes, Karan Johar’s much spoken about take on infidelity was lengthier than Jodhaa Akbar. Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan, Preity Zinta, and Amitabh Bachchan, "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" was 3 hours 35 minutes long, beating the Hrithik Roshan period drama by a minute.
Salaam-E-Ishq: A Tribute To Love: (2007)
The canvas that was laid in the Nikhil Advani directorial was a premise for a web series if it was made now. Multiple stories meeting at one point and all with their own set of tragedies. Starring Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, John Abraham, Vidya Balan, Anil Kapoor, Juhi Chawla, and an ensemble, "Salaam-E-Ishq" was 3 hours 36 minutes long.
Mohabbatein: (2000)
Over time, "Mohabbatein" went on to be a cult film, and Shah Rukh Khan with his boys technically became a benchmark for lover boys across the country. The movie that was directed by Aditya Chopra was 3 hours 36 minutes long.
Lagaan: Once Upon A Time In India: (2001)
Let’s enter the top three positions now. Aamir Khan’s "Lagaan," another Ashutosh Gowarikar movie on the list, was a rage when it released. The fascination about the project was at its peak because there was also Oscar buzz. The movie was 3 hours 44 minutes long, and the filmmaker kept his audience invested even with a massive runtime.
Mera Naam Joker: (1970)
Mera Naam Joker" is not a film but an emotion for everyone who breathes Bollywood. Legendary Raj Kapoor starrer is a movie that holds cult status and is a masterclass. Its release format was one of the most interesting ones because there were two intervals in the theaters. Want to know why? It was 4 hours 4 minutes long.
Gangs Of Wasseypur: (2012)
Before you are confused, Anurag Kashyap always wanted to release "Gangs Of Wasseypur" as one film. He even went ahead with the idea until the theater owners refused to release a movie with a runtime of 5 hours 19 minutes. The filmmaker later decided to chop it into two parts and released them three months apart from each other. The movie now holds the iconic status not just in India but across the country.