'Parthiban Kanavu' to 'Kuberaa': Tamil cinema's longest movies for greater impact!

Tamil cinema has long been known for its grandeur and depth of storytelling, and some of its most prestigious films have also stood out for their long running time. These extended stories often allow rich character arcs and more detailed plot development. Recently, Dhanush's much-awaited 'Kuberaa' joined the list, after its censor clearance with a runtime of 3 hours and 15 minutes. Directed by Sekhar Kammula, socio-political drama is one of the longest Tamil films ever. There is a look at five other Tamil films, which pushed the screen time boundaries, leaving a strong impact on the audience.

'Parthiban Kanavu' lasted for 3 hours and 39 minutes, making it the longest Tamil film ever. Directed by D Yogananda, this historical drama starred Geminu Ganesan and Vyjayanthimala along with a script based on the novel by Kalki Krishnamurthy. The film was praised for its detailed set, attractive story, and historical depth, and it achieved box office success. 'Parthiban Kanavu' is now available for streaming on many YouTube channels.

'Thavamaai Thavamirununthu' had a 3-hour and 24-minute runtime, and was directed by Cheran, who played the lead along with Padmapriya. Emotional family plays focused on parents' sacrifices and hit a raga equally with audiences and critics. Its sensitive story and music by Ilaiyaraja earned it several awards and a hot box office response.

A three-hour and 12 -minute -run three-minute-long historical story 'Hey Ram', was directed and performed by Kamal Haasan, and it also features Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukherjee. The film dealt with communal violence during the partition of India and was appreciated for its bold story and technical talent. Although it had a lukewarm box office, it has gained the status of a cult since then.

'Nanban' was the Tamil remake of the Hindi film '3 Idiots', and had a runtime of 3 hours and 8 minutes. Directed by Shankar, it included Thalapathy Vijay, Jiva, Srikanth, and Ileana D'Cruz in the main roles. The film was a commercial success, which combined humor and spirit with a strong message about education, and was praised for its loyal adaptation and performance. Vijay delivered one of his career-best performances through 'Nanban' to make it a favorite among his fans forever.

'Sivaji: The Boss' clocks in at 3 hours and 7 minutes, was directed by Shankar and starred Rajinikanth and Shriya Saran in the lead roles. With music composed by AR Rahman and grand visuals from cinematographer KV Anand, the film was a massive blockbuster and set new box office records at the time of its release. The mass entertainer showcased Rajinikanth in a never-before avatar.