There are many instances in the recent times like Kick 2, Sardaar Gabbar Singh, Brahmotsavam etc, where the run time has turned out to be one of the reasons for the respective movies failures.
Keeping in mind that obstacle, that too for a periodic drama like Gauthamiputra Sathakarni, the makers made sure the run time gets restricted to 2 hours 12 minutes.
Being the 100th movie of Balakrishna, the Nandamuri fans are taking GSPK as the most prestigious one. But the crisp run time is now worrying them. However, if director Krish manages to give enough fan moments in the film and if the movie’s result turns positive, the run time would anyway turn secondary.