With just days remaining before one of the most ambitious cinematic chapters in Indian film history arrives on the 70mm canvas, Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana has cleared its final regulatory hurdle. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has officially granted the magnum opus an unrestricted ‘U’ certificate. Alongside the censor board’s wholehearted seal of approval, the film’s massive domestic theatrical runtime has now been revealed: an epic 195 minutes, or precisely 3 hours and 15 minutes of pure, unhurried storytelling.

For a civilisational tale of this emotional and spiritual magnitude, an expansive canvas was always non-negotiable. Producer Namit Malhotra and director Nitesh Tiwari have consciously opted to let the sprawling narrative breathe deeply across two standalone cinematic parts rather than condensing millennia of sacred heritage into an abrupt theatrical package. The lavish first instalment immerses eager viewers into Prince Rama’s noble youth, his sacred union with Sita, and the painful emotional trials leading straight up to the great forest exile.

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Interestingly, the film’s international rollout features a distinct classification strategy. While Indian audiences enjoy an unhindered universal viewing experience suitable for entire multi-generational families over the festive Diwali holiday weekend, the film secured a PG-13 rating across North America. Moreover, reports suggest that the international English-dubbed cut has been smartly trimmed down by roughly thirty minutes to cater specifically to fast-paced Western multiplex sensibilities.