You know that feeling when you’re settling in for a movie night and suddenly realize it’s a three-hour commitment? Well, Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming Ramayana with Ranbir Kapoor is about to test your patience—but in the best way possible.
The massive Rs. 4000 crore production, which has been one of Bollywood’s most anticipated projects, is being structured as a two-part film. And here’s the thing that might surprise you: each part is going to be substantially long, matching the grandeur of the epic itself.
The Scale is Unreal
While the exact runtime for both parts hasn’t been officially confirmed down to the minute, industry insiders suggest we’re looking at films that stretch well beyond the typical two-hour format. Think more along the lines of 2.5 to 3 hours per installment. That’s not a casual popcorn flick—that’s a proper cinematic experience.
Director Nitesh Tiwari, fresh off the success of Dangal, isn’t trying to squeeze the Ramayana into a compact package. Given the source material’s complexity and the budget allocation, every minute seems intentional. This isn’t about filling time; it’s about doing justice to one of India’s most sacred narratives.
The two-part structure actually makes sense here. The Ramayana is too expansive for a single sitting, even for a three-hour film. By splitting it, Tiwari gets breathing room to develop characters, build emotional arcs, and deliver the visual spectacle that a Rs. 4000 crore budget demands.
What This Means for Audiences
Honestly, this is a commitment. Theater owners are already planning their schedules around these films because they’ll dominate screens during their respective releases. Families planning to watch Ranbir Kapoor’s Ramayana should block out entire afternoons or evenings.
But here’s why it matters: ambitious storytelling requires time. Whether Tiwari is crafting the romance between Ram and Sita, the complexity of Ravaan’s character, or the philosophical depth of the Ramayana, rushing through it would be a disservice. Indian audiences have shown they’ll sit through lengthy films if the content justifies it—look at how Dangal performed despite its nearly two-hour runtime.
The runtime also signals something important about the film’s ambitions. This isn’t a typical Bollywood adaptation. It’s attempting to be a defining cinematic take on the Ramayana for modern India, comparable to the scale of international epics audiences have embraced.
As more production details emerge, keep an eye out for the official runtime announcements for both parts. When release dates finally drop, you’ll know exactly how much time to carve out of your schedule to experience Ranbir Kapoor’s journey as Lord Ram.