Mumbai:
In an era where Bollywood is embracing bold storytelling formats, Housefull 5 has caught attention not just for its star cast but also for featuring two different climaxes a rare concept in Indian cinema. But interestingly, long before this idea hit the mainstream in India, Netflix had already experimented with and popularized the idea of multiple climaxes through its groundbreaking interactive films.
Housefull 5’s Double Ending Twist:
Sajid Nadiadwala’s Housefull 5, the latest installment in the hit comedy franchise, shocked fans when it was revealed that the film would have two alternate endings. The idea was to provide audiences with a new kind of cinema experience where different viewers could walk away with different conclusions to the same story.
The decision created a stir online, with cinephiles debating whether this was a gimmick or a genuine attempt to innovate in Bollywood storytelling.
But Netflix Did It First
While Housefull 5 may be Bollywood’s big step into multi-ending territory, Netflix had already laid the foundation with interactive films that offered viewers the power to choose their own path and ultimately, their own ending.
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Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (2018)
The most notable example is Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, released in 2018. This dark sci-fi interactive film allowed viewers to make decisions for the main character, Stefan, leading to over five different main endings and countless variations. It was praised for pushing the boundaries of storytelling and won an Emmy for Outstanding Television Movie.
Kimmy vs the Reverend (2020)
Another example is Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs the Reverend, an interactive comedy special that let fans decide Kimmy’s fate. With each decision, the story could go wildly different ways some hilarious, some heartfelt, and some absurd.
Choose Love (2023)
Netflix also released Choose Love, its first interactive romantic comedy, where the viewer helped the protagonist choose between three love interests resulting in six unique endings. While the film received mixed reviews, it cemented the interactive format as a genre in itself.
Netflix Pulls Back
Despite early success, Netflix started removing its interactive films like Bandersnatch and Kimmy vs the Reverend from its platform in mid 2025, possibly due to low rewatchability or high production complexity. Still, its impact on global storytelling remains undeniable.
A New Trend in Indian Cinema?
With Housefull 5 embracing the multiple climax format, Bollywood seems ready to explore unconventional formats. While the film is not interactive in the way Netflix’s titles were, the idea of alternate endings is clearly inspired by the global trend.
Whether this concept will catch on in Indian cinema remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Netflix did it first, and Housefull 5 is now bringing that innovation to the big screen in a uniquely desi style.
