Is the 3-hour runtime of 'Kaatera' a concern for audiences? Social media weighs in...

A majority of the big-ticket releases this year, including 'Jawaan', 'Gadar 2', 'Animal' and the more recent 'Salaar: Part 1 - Ceasefire', have either gone past the 3-hour runtime mark or been shy of it by a very small margin. What this suggests is that current filmmakers are embracing the old template of offering an "experience" to the audiences at the movies, which includes a blend of drama, emotions, conflicts, romance, humour and of course, loads of action. And for this, they demand our time and patience in return.

The latest to join this club is Tharun Sudhir's 'Kaatera', which one learns runs up to 2 hours and 59 minutes in length, but the two or three-minute title card takes it past the 3-hour mark (182.59 minutes). While Challenging Star Darshan's fans are braced and excited about what's to come, there is also an apprehension sensed among them concerning the strength of the narrative.

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"Songs jasti ide ansute," said one user on social media to highlight that the presence of a few extra songs in 'Kaatera' could hamper the flow of the film. Of course, the three-hour duration of the film hasn't been received with open arms by audiences yet but what many seek in return is a solid film that does not resort to unnecessary song breaks or "cringe comedy" sequences.

'Kaatera', though being a major commercial venture, is still based on a poignant issue and the trailer of the film suggests that Tharun Sudhir doesn't opt to address the matter in a flimsy or wishy-washy manner. In fact, many have noted that the film presents Darshan, "the actor", and not the superstar which could mean that the 3-hour runtime is warranted. 

The songs of 'Kaatera', in this vein, have been subjects of discussion and many have felt over the last couple of weeks that a "serious actioner" such as this could do away with old-school songs. The second single Yava Janumada Gelathi, which comes as the classic duet between the two leads, was pulled up by audiences who felt a song of that nature should not belong to a film like 'Kaatera'.

Also Read: 'Darshan deserves a serious action movie' - Netizens come down hard on new Kaatera single 'Yava Janumada Gelathi' 

In a recent interaction, though, Darshan defended the '70s template of music of 'Kaatera' and also urged viewers to watch the film before drawing conclusions.

Coming to the story of the film, Darshan plays a blacksmith who leads the poor farmers in his village in a crusade or revolution against mighty Zamindars. 'Kaatera' is inspired by multiple real-life incidents and the central idea of the film is how the fight against oppressors plays out - the film is out in theatres on December 29.