This Friday marks the much-anticipated release of **Baahubali: The Epic**, a unique cinematic experiment that combines *Baahubali: The Beginning* (2015) and *Baahubali 2: The Conclusion* (2017) into a single film. This special edition is being released as part of the tenth anniversary celebrations of the original *Baahubali: The Beginning*.
The concept of merging two blockbuster films into one cohesive narrative is unprecedented in the film industry. Initially, some moviegoers and industry experts were skeptical about whether audiences would be willing to rewatch a story they had already seen—especially in such a unique format. However, the response so far has been overwhelmingly positive. Advance bookings, particularly among the Telugu audience in South India and overseas, have been exceptional.
### Exclusive: Runtime Breakdown
It is well known that *Baahubali: The Epic* has a total runtime of approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes. Bollywood Hungama has received detailed information regarding the length of each half from a reliable trade source. According to them, the pre-interval portion of the film runs for 1 hour, 42 minutes, and 33 seconds, while the second half extends to 2 hours, 3 minutes, and 11 seconds. This brings the total duration to 3 hours, 45 minutes, and 44 seconds.
### Single Intermission Despite Lengthy Runtime
Historically, films with such lengthy runtimes often featured two intermissions. For instance, Raj Kapoor’s *Sangam* (1964), which ran for 238 minutes (3 hours and 58 minutes), had two intervals. Similarly, *Mera Naam Joker* (1970), at 255 minutes (4 hours and 15 minutes), also featured dual breaks. More recently, Bollywood’s evergreen favorite *Hum Aapke Hain Koun* (1994) was presented with two intervals in its extended version.
However, the practice of multiple intervals has largely been abandoned over the years. Films such as *Mohabbatein* (2000; 215 minutes), *Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham* (2001; 210 minutes), *Animal* (2023; 203 minutes), and *The Bengal Files* (2025; 204 minutes) have all opted for a single intermission despite their long runtimes.
*Baahubali: The Epic* follows this modern trend by having just one interval, even with its 225-minute length.
### Comparing Original Runtimes and the New Edit
To put this into perspective, the two original Baahubali films had combined runtimes much longer than this new edition. *Baahubali: The Beginning* ran for 159 minutes, while *Baahubali 2: The Conclusion* was 167 minutes long. Together, the two films totaled 326 minutes—or 5 hours and 26 minutes.
In contrast, *Baahubali: The Epic* is 225 minutes in length, making it shorter by 101 minutes. The filmmakers faced the challenging task of condensing two monumental chapters of the saga into one seamless narrative, without sacrificing the grandeur, emotional depth, and continuity that made the Baahubali franchise a cultural phenomenon.
Fans and critics alike are eager to see how effectively this has been achieved.
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**Also Read:**
*Baahubali: The Epic* receives a U/A certificate with a runtime of 3 hours and 44 minutes, releasing this October.
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Stay tuned for more updates on *Baahubali: The Epic* box office collection and live Bollywood news.
https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/exclusive-runtime-breakdown-first-half-baahubali-epic-1-hour-42-minutes-second-half-2-hours/
