Housefull 5 isn't first film with multiple endings; Mollywood and Netflix did it long before

Mumbai: As Housefull 5 rolls into theatres with two alternate endings, its makers are promoting it as a cinematic first but film history tells a different story. The concept of multiple climaxes isn’t new-- Mollywood and Netflix have already explored it in unique and bold ways.

The latest instalment in the long-running Bollywood comedy franchise, Housefull 5, introduces a murder mystery twist where three men played by Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, and Riteish Deshmukh each claim to be the heir to a murdered billionaire. Two versions of the film, dubbed Housefull 5A and 5B, reveal different murderers depending on the cut you're watching.

Producer Sajid Nadiadwala claimed at the trailer launch that such a narrative experiment hadn’t been attempted anywhere in the ‘world’. But Indian cinema particularly Malayalam films, was ahead of the curve decades ago.

Malayalam cinemas:

Harikrishnans (1998)

In one of Indian cinema’s earliest experiments with alternate endings, Harikrishnans, starring Mammootty and Mohanlal, featured two different climaxes. Depending on the region, audiences either saw Meera (Juhi Chawla) choose Hari (Mammootty) or Krishnan (Mohanlal). The film was cleverly distributed each version shown in districts where one actor had a stronger fan base.

Chakkaramuthu (2006)

Another standout is Chakkaramuthu, which quietly made history by reportedly being the first film to have four different climaxes. The film was shown in theatres with two different endings initially, followed by a third version released later. Rumours persist that a fourth climax, though shot, still remains unreleased.

Gramaphone (2003)

Gramaphone, starring Dileep and Meera Jasmine, originally ended with the lead pair going their separate ways. However, following audience feedback and distributor pressure, a second version was created where the couple reunites in the climax. Both endings were shown in different regions, effectively turning the film into another example of dual climaxes shaped by audience demand.

Netflix’s interactive take:

In 2018, Netflix elevated the concept with Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, a choose-your-own-adventure-style interactive film. Viewers made decisions for the protagonist, leading to multiple branching storylines and endings. It was a tech-driven evolution of the same concept Malayalam cinema had pioneered through regional storytelling dynamics.

Not a first, but a fun twist

While Housefull 5 may be the first Bollywood comedy to embrace the multiple-ending format, it certainly isn't the first film globally or even in India to do so. Whether it’s a high-stakes mystery or a romantic drama, filmmakers have long played with the idea of alternate outcomes to either satisfy varied audiences or enhance rewatch value.