Raja Shivaji, set to hit theatres on May 1, will release in both Marathi and Hindi versions. While films released in multiple languages typically share the same runtime, differing only in language, this one breaks the norm. Reportedly, the Hindi version will be shorter than the Marathi cut.
According to Bollywood Hungama, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has granted the film a UA 16+ certificate. The Marathi version runs for three hours, 15 minutes, and five seconds, while the Hindi version is shorter by exactly eight minutes, clocking in at three hours, seven minutes, and five seconds. The report adds that the shorter duration is not due to any cuts mandated by the CBFC, but a creative decision by Riteish Deshmukh to make the Hindi version more concise.
The Marathi version reportedly received its censor certificate on April 24, with a runtime of 195.05 minutes. This confirms that the Hindi version has been trimmed by eight minutes.
A source close to the development told the entertainment portal that it is unusual for different language versions of the same film to have varying durations. Usually, two versions of a film have the exact same duration. However, Riteish has tried a novel experiment and kept the narrative crisp for the Hindi audience. Meanwhile, for the Marathi audience, which would probably be more attracted to the film due to the local flavour, the actor-director has gone for a longer version,” the insider said.
A similar difference was also observed in the film’s trailers. The Marathi trailer runs for three minutes and five seconds, whereas the Hindi version is slightly shorter at two minutes and 59 seconds.
About Raja Shivaji
Raja Shivaji features Riteish Deshmukh in the role of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and also stars Genelia Deshmukh, Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Fardeen Khan, Bhagyashree, Sachin Khedekar, Amole Gupte, and Jitendra Joshi, among others.
The film is slated for a May 1 release.
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