The title of India’s longest film by duration doesn’t belong to the expected popular dramas, but to a powerful 1987 feature.
The longest film ever produced in India is Thavamai Thavamirundhu (2005), directed by Cheran in Tamil. However, in terms of runtime, the true longest Indian movie is Tamas (1987) directed by Govind Nihalani, which originally aired as a television miniseries and runs for over 5 hours and 20 minutes (approximately 320 minutes). It was subsequently shown at film festivals as a full-length feature.
Longest film from India by duration
Tamas, inspired by a book by Bhisham Sahni, depicts the violence and suffering experienced during the Partition of India. Originally created for Doordarshan as a television series, it was subsequently presented as a full feature film at international festivals. With a runtime exceeding 5 hours, it stands as the longest narrative Indian film ever presented in one sitting.
More Long Indian Films
LOC Kargil (2003), helmed by J.P. Dutta, is a war drama inspired by the 1999 Kargil War that took place between India and Pakistan. Boasting a runtime of 255 minutes (4 hours 15 minutes), it ranks among the longest Bollywood films ever shown in theaters during one screening. The movie showcases a star-studded ensemble cast that includes Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgn, Abhishek Bachchan, and Saif Ali Khan. It shows the bravery of Indian soldiers and their real-life missions during the conflict.
Mera Naam Joker (1970), directed by and featuring Raj Kapoor, is a timeless emotional drama with a runtime of 244 minutes (more than 4 hours). It tells the story of a circus clown who hides his pain behind a smile and explores love, loss, and the performing arts through three chapters of his life. Despite being a commercial flop at its release, it later achieved cult status and is now regarded as one of Indian cinema’s most daring and intimate films.
Gangs of Wasseypur (2012), helmed by Anurag Kashyap, is a crime epic with a total duration of 319 minutes (more than 5 hours), ranking it among the longest Indian films ever produced. The tale covers three generations of gang conflicts, vengeance, and politics in the coal mafia-infested area of Wasseypur, Jharkhand. Due to its length, the film was released in two parts in theatres but is available in full at international film festivals and digital platforms. It received widespread critical acclaim for its gritty realism and storytelling.
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