'Housefull 5' Dual Endings Explained: Unmasking the Killers in Each Version
Producer Sajid Nadiadwala's "Housefull 5," the latest installment in the popular comedy franchise, has introduced an unprecedented release strategy in Indian cinema by offering two different endings, presented as "Housefull 5A" and "Housefull 5B." This ambitious approach, intended to create an "interactive" experience, centers on a murder mystery plot where the identity of the killer changes depending on which version of the film is screened. The brief explains the resolutions of both climaxes.
The Central Murder Mystery
The film's plot revolves around the death of the patriarch, Ranjeet, with his vast inheritance set to go to his heir, Jolly. Three individuals—played by Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, and Abhishek Bachchan—emerge, each claiming to be the rightful Jolly. The narrative takes a turn as a series of murders occur on the cruise ship setting. While the core story and comedic sequences remain identical for the first two hours in both versions, the final act reveals different culprits.
Ending A: Fardeen Khan and Abhishek Bachchan
In "Housefull 5A," which is reportedly being shown in the majority of the film's approximately 7,000 shows, the masterminds behind the murders are revealed to be Dev (Fardeen Khan), Ranjeet's son from his second wife, in collaboration with Jolly 2 (Abhishek Bachchan).
Ending B: Chitrangada Singh and Abhishek Bachchan
In "Housefull 5B," the alternate climax points to a different conspiracy. In this version, Maya (Chitrangada Singh), a board member of Ranjeet's empire, is unmasked as the killer. She is also working in tandem with Jolly 2 (Abhishek Bachchan), who is a common antagonist in both scenarios.
Both versions of the film feature a special appearance by Bobby Deol, who is revealed to be the real heir, Jolly, and ultimately distributes the inherited wealth among the main characters.
The decision to release "Housefull 5" with two distinct endings is a novel experiment in mainstream Bollywood. However, it has been met with mixed reactions and has reportedly caused some confusion among audiences. Rather than being perceived purely as an innovative interactive experience, some viewers feel the strategy suggests indecisiveness on the part of the filmmakers in committing to a single, definitive conclusion for their murder mystery plot.
