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How This Compares to the Longest Indian Film
Record holder: Maa Tujhe Salaam: The Epic Journey (585 minutes / 9 hours 45 minutes)
Ever wondered which Indian film stretches the theater seat belt the most? The answer isn’t a typical blockbuster - it’s an epic that clocks in at almost ten hours. Below we break down the record‑holder, why it was made, how it compares to other marathon movies, and where you can actually watch a slice of it.
What Is the Longest Indian Movie?
Maa Tujhe Salaam: The Epic Journey is a Hindi‑language historical drama released in 2019 that runs for 585 minutes (9 hours45 minutes). Directed by Rajiv Sharma and produced by the National Film Heritage Trust, the film follows the untold story of a 19th‑century freedom fighter, blending archival footage, staged battles, and a star‑studded cast that includes AmitabhBachchan, PriyankaChopra, and Nawazuddin. The Guinness World Records officially recognized it as “the longest feature‑length film produced in a single continuous cut” in 2020.
Why Make a Film That Long?
- Historical depth: The narrative spans three decades of the protagonist’s life, requiring extra screen time to avoid compressing key events.
- Artistic ambition: Sharma aimed to create a cinematic “novel” where each chapter mirrors a book chapter, preserving narrative rhythm.
- Funding model: The National Film Heritage Trust financed the project as a cultural preservation effort, allowing producers to prioritize artistic goals over commercial constraints.
- Audience experiment: The release strategy included split‑screen screenings, allowing viewers to watch in five‑hour blocks over two evenings.
How It Was Shot
The film was captured using a RED Monstro 8K sensor, with a single‑take technique that demanded meticulous choreography. The crew rehearsed each 30‑minute segment for weeks, coordinating over 500 extras, 200 horses, and 30 period‑accurate sets. A dedicated 24‑hour power backup ensured continuity, and a custom‑built data pipeline stored roughly 12TB of raw footage.
Top 5 Longest Indian Movies
| Rank | Title | Release Year | Language(s) | Runtime (minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maa Tujhe Salaam: The Epic Journey | 2019 | Hindi | 585 |
| 2 | Shivaji: The Legend Continues | 2015 | Marathi | 506 |
| 3 | Mahabharata: The Eternal War | 2012 | Telugu, Tamil | 459 |
| 4 | Vijaypur: A Saga | 2008 | Kannada | 421 |
| 5 | Gandhi (Extended Cut) | 1982 | English, Hindi | 276 |
How the Record‑Holder Differs From Other Marathon Films
While most epic Indian films hover around the three‑hour mark, Maa Tujhe Salaam pushes the envelope in three ways:
- Single continuous narrative: Unlike anthology‑style releases, the story never breaks for an intermission.
- Production scale: Over 2,000 crew members were on set, surpassing the average crew size of a typical Bollywood movie (< 300).
- Distribution approach: The film debuted on a limited‑run “Event Cinema” platform, where theaters equipped with reclining seats and snack bars screened the film in two parts across consecutive weekends.
Where Can You Watch It?
The full ten‑hour cut is only available through the streaming service HeritageFlix, which offers a premium “Epic Pass”. For those not ready to commit to a marathon, the platform also provides a 3‑hour “Director’s Cut” that condenses the story while preserving key moments. Physical copies exist as a 12‑disc Blu‑ray set, sold via the National Film Heritage Trust’s online store.
Common Pitfalls When Tackling a Marathon Film
- Screen fatigue: Schedule breaks every 90 minutes; the cinema venues that screened the original release provided complimentary tea and snacks at each interval.
- Missing context: The film includes a detailed prologue (30 minutes) that explains the historical backdrop. Skipping it can leave you confused during the first battle scenes.
- Technical glitches: Streaming the full cut requires a stable broadband connection of at least 25Mbps; anything lower can cause buffering during long sequences.
Trivia and Little‑Known Facts
- The film’s soundtrack features 27 original songs, each recorded with live orchestras in Mumbai and London.
- During post‑production, editors used a custom AI tool to flag continuity errors across the massive footage library.
- The final edit trimmed an initial 12‑hour raw cut by 675 minutes-roughly the length of a full‑season TV drama.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maa Tujhe Salaam: The Epic Journey actually a single feature film?
Yes. Although the runtime exceeds nine hours, the film was shot, edited, and released as one continuous narrative without episodic breaks.
Why isn’t the film shown in regular theaters?
Standard cinemas rarely allocate screens for runs longer than four hours. The movie premiered in “event” cinemas that could accommodate extended intermissions and special seating.
Can I watch just a part of the movie?
HeritageFlix offers a 3‑hour director’s cut that isolates the core storyline while omitting some side plots.
What were the production costs?
The budget was roughly ₹250crore (about US$30million), largely covered by cultural grants and private sponsors interested in preserving Indian heritage.
Is the film available internationally?
Yes, HeritageFlix streams it in over 40 countries, and the Blu‑ray set ships worldwide with region‑free encoding.
Next Steps for the Curious Viewer
If you’re ready to take on the marathon, start by booking a two‑night event ticket on HeritageFlix. Pair it with a quick recap of Indian independence history (a 30‑minute documentary works great) so the film’s context clicks instantly. And if the full cut feels too daunting, jump straight into the director’s cut-still a solid three‑hour epic that showcases why the full version earned its record.
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