Published: March 1, 2022 | Last Updated: June 27, 2024
The typical Bollywood movie takes 30 days to six months to shoot in total, and 30—to 60-day production schedules are becoming increasingly common.
That said, every production varies based on how many set-ups and locations the script requires. If the film includes special effects, that can also require more coordination in production and add time to the shoot.
How long did some of the most popular Bollywood films take to make?
Here’s how long some of the most popular Bollywood movies of the last few years took to make:
| Bollywood Movie | Production Time |
|---|---|
| Haraamkhor | 16 days |
| Jolly LLB 2 | 30 days |
| Tanu Weds Manu Returns | 30 days |
| Housefull 3 | 38 days |
| Ki and Ka | 45 days |
| Bareilly Ki Barfi | 60 days |
| Kaabil | 77 days |
In the case of Housefull and Jolly LLB 2, the star of both films dictated the schedule wrap in 60 days or less. Akshay Kumar, one of Bollywood’s most in-demand actors, films up to four movies a year and thus expects each film to take no longer than 60 days.
Which Bollywood movie took the longest?
While three-month production schedules are more common, some popular Bollywood films still take a long road.
For instance, the mythological horror epic Tumbbad took three years to finish, as the beautiful and critically well-received film turned every frame into an art piece.
On average, epic fantasy Bollywood films with all the special effects can take three years.
However, the Indian film with the longest timeline to the screen was the historical epic Mughal-e-Azam, which took over 14 years to reach theaters after production began in 1946.
The film took so long because it lost a financier and shifted cast and crew multiple times. In perspective, the budget for a single song sequence was more than any previous Indian film.
Another reason for the delay was the Partition of India, which separated “British India” into what is today known as India and Pakistan. Adjusted for inflation, the film could still be the highest-grossing Indian film of all time.
The Indian film with the second-longest production schedule was Meri Biwi Ka Jawab Nahin, which took over 10 years to produce before it was ultimately released in 2004. The film was technically shot in 1994 but was delayed in full release until 2004.
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