Making a Bollywood film is rarely a straightforward process. While some movies wrap up production within a few months, others spend years—sometimes even decades—in development before finally reaching the big screen. Financial setbacks, creative changes, global events, personal tragedies, and technological challenges have all contributed to unusually long production schedules.
From the timeless classic Mughal-E-Azam to modern spectacles like Brahmāstra, here are some Bollywood films that took the longest time to complete.
1. Love and God (1963–1986) – Around 23 Years
Perhaps the longest-running production in Indian cinema history, Love and God was envisioned by legendary filmmaker K. Asif in the early 1960s.
The project suffered multiple setbacks after lead actor Guru Dutt passed away unexpectedly. Sanjeev Kumar later replaced him, but another major blow came when K. Asif died in 1971, leaving the film unfinished. Eventually, the movie was released in an incomplete form in 1986, nearly 23 years after production began.
2. Pakeezah (1956–1972) – Around 16 Years
Director Kamal Amrohi’s dream project, Pakeezah, took nearly 16 years to complete.
Initially shot in black and white, the film was restarted in colour at the request of Meena Kumari. Financial difficulties, the couple’s troubled personal relationship, and Meena Kumari’s declining health repeatedly halted production. The film was finally released in 1972, shortly before the actress’s passing, and later became one of Indian cinema’s greatest classics.
3. Mughal-E-Azam (1946–1960) – Around 14 Years
Widely regarded as one of Bollywood’s greatest masterpieces, Mughal-E-Azam required over 14 years to complete.
Production was delayed due to the Partition of India, casting changes, and the enormous scale of the film. Lavish palace sets, thousands of extras, intricate costumes, and groundbreaking filmmaking techniques made the project one of the most ambitious productions of its era.
Released in 1960, the historical epic became a landmark in Indian cinema.
4. Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva (2011–2022) – Around 11 Years
Director Ayan Mukerji first conceived Brahmāstra in 2011, but the fantasy adventure finally reached theatres only in 2022.
The lengthy production was driven by extensive visual effects, large-scale world-building, multiple reshoots, and pandemic-related delays. Starring Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, the film became one of the most ambitious VFX-heavy productions ever made in India.
5. Gangubai Kathiawadi (2019–2022) – Around 3 Years
Although not as lengthy as some classics, Gangubai Kathiawadi experienced several production hurdles.
Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali reportedly considered Priyanka Chopra before finalising Alia Bhatt for the lead role. The COVID-19 pandemic forced multiple shutdowns and postponed the release several times before the film finally hit theatres in 2022, emerging as both a critical and commercial success.
6. Rocketry: The Nambi Effect (2012–2022) – Around 10 Years
R. Madhavan spent nearly a decade bringing the life story of ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan to the big screen.
The actor-director invested years in research, script development, international filming schedules, and production planning. Released in 2022, Rocketry: The Nambi Effect earned widespread appreciation for its storytelling and performances.
7. Tumbbad (2012–2018) – Around 6 Years
Producer-actor Sohum Shah’s passion project Tumbbad required six years of painstaking work before its release.
The filmmakers spent years perfecting the screenplay, waiting for ideal monsoon conditions to capture the film’s haunting atmosphere, and building elaborate sets. Upon its release in 2018, the folklore horror drama became a cult classic and is now regarded as one of India’s finest horror films.
Why Do Some Bollywood Films Take So Long?
Several factors contribute to prolonged film productions:
- Large-scale VFX and post-production work
- Financial challenges
- Casting changes
- Director or actor availability
- Script rewrites and reshoots
- Natural conditions required for filming
- Global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic
- Personal tragedies affecting production
While extended production schedules often increase costs, they sometimes result in unforgettable cinematic masterpieces.
FAQs
Why did Brahmāstra take so long to release?
Mughal-E-Azam took around 14 years to complete due to Partition-related disruptions, casting changes, and its massive production scale.
Which Bollywood film took the longest time to complete?
Love and God is widely regarded as one of the longest-produced Indian films, taking approximately 23 years before its incomplete release in 1986.
How many years did Mughal-E-Azam take to make?
Mughal-E-Azam took around 14 years to complete due to Partition-related disruptions, casting changes, and its massive production scale.
How long was Tumbbad in production?
Tumbbad spent around six years in production as the makers carefully developed the script, waited for suitable weather conditions, and built detailed sets.
Did Pakeezah take 16 years to make?
Yes. Pakeezah remained in production for nearly 16 years due to financial issues, production delays, and Meena Kumari’s health problems before releasing in 1972.
