Keeping audience glued to screens for nearly three hours is a challenging task for any director. The margin for error is very less for films with lengthy runtime because if the director fails to keep viewers invested it would definitely impact the final verdict.

In olden days, audience used to embrace films with over three hours duration. The trend has slowly changed over the years as directors preferred to narrate their stories in shortest possible time to ensure a gripping watch for viewers. Films with crisp running time are all the rage till recent past.

Now, the scenario in Tollywood is completely different one as directors are coming up with films which run over two and a half hours. Lengthy duration is no longer a liability for films to emerge as blockbusters if directors come up with strong script and watertight screen play.

In recent times, some of the biggies like Baahubali 2, Rangasthalam, Bharat Ane Nenu and Mahanati emerged as big hits despite having a running time close to three years because the directors largely succeeded in keeping the audience on the edge of the seat throughout the duration.

The success of these films is a clear indication that audience lap up lengthy films if they are made with a strong content. Many critics have also opined that runtime is not an undoing aspect as long as it keeps the viewers interested.