Years before Bollywood explored films with two endings, the Malayalam movie “Harikrishnans,” directed by Fazil, took a bold creative turn by releasing two different climaxes. This experiment resurfaced in discussions after Tarun Mansukhani’s “Housefull 5” announced its dual-ending format, but “Harikrishnans” set such a precedent back in 1998. The focus was on the romantic dilemma involving the lead characters played by Mohanlal and Mammootty, both prominent stars, alongside Juhi Chawla, making her Malayalam cinema debut. The unusual release strategy stemmed from the filmmaker’s effort to navigate the intense fan rivalries in Kerala.
The Director’s Strategic Dilemma and Unique Release Approach
In “Harikrishnans,” both Mohanlal and Mammootty’s characters fall in love with Juhi Chawla’s character. The uncertainty surrounding whom she would ultimately choose posed a narrative challenge. Director Fazil faced the added complexity of Mohanlal and Mammootty’s enthusiastic fanbases, prompting a distinct approach. Rather than risk alienating fans, Fazil planned two versions of the climax—one where Mohanlal’s character won over Juhi’s, and another where Mammootty’s character emerged victorious. The distribution of these alternate endings was calculated, with the Mohanlal-favoring conclusion shown in South Kerala and Mammootty’s version screened in North Kerala, corresponding to their respective core fan regions.
Fazil later explained his unconventional method, stating,
When making the film, I didn’t want people saying I favoured Mohanlal or Mammootty. At the same time, I had to consider their fans as well. The real dilemma was, who would end up with Juhi Chawla’s character? If Mammootty got her, Mohanlal’s fans would be upset, and vice versa. The idea of two endings came from that curiosity. You could even call it a mischief. We shot one version where Mohanlal gets her, another where Mammootty does. We also filmed a version where it wasn’t revealed who she chose. There were a total of 32 prints. I resolved the issue by saying, ‘Let Mohanlal get her in 16 prints and Mammootty in the remaining 16’.
—Fazil, Director
However, the filmmakers ran into controversy when it was reported that the ending featuring Mammootty was released without proper certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Notices were reportedly sent by the board, demanding the withdrawal of that version from theaters, adding further tension around the project.
Streaming and Legacy of the Film’s Endings
Today, “Harikrishnans” can be found on mainstream platforms such as YouTube and JioHotstar, but both available versions now symbolically show Juhi Chawla’s character selecting Mohanlal’s. This adaptation was presumably made after the regulatory issues with the CBFC. The film’s bold approach and the director’s balancing act remain significant within Malayalam cinema, with “Harikrishnans” often cited in discussions about creative freedom and fan-driven storytelling.
Shah Rukh Khan: The Unseen Malayalam Debut That Nearly Happened
What adds another layer of intrigue to this story is that Fazil briefly considered filming a third ending for “Harikrishnans,” where Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan would win the heart of Juhi’s character. At the time, Shah Rukh Khan was present in the region, shooting for another Bollywood film, and had regular meetings with Juhi Chawla during her work on the Malayalam set. Although this remarkable twist never materialized, with the director abandoning the plan, a rare photograph remains online featuring Shah Rukh Khan alongside Mammootty, Mohanlal, and Juhi Chawla.
Had this version been produced, it would have marked Shah Rukh Khan’s first-ever appearance in a Malayalam film. The planned alternate ending closely mirrored the finale of David Dhawan’s “Deewana Mastana,” released just a year prior, which also starred Juhi Chawla as the leading lady with two male suitors, ultimately surprising the audience when her character chose Salman Khan instead. The similarities point to a larger trend of playful plot reversals in Indian cinema during the late 1990s, but this Malayalam iteration would have held special significance for fans of both regional and Bollywood stars.
Reflecting on Shah Rukh Khan’s persona, actor Zeeshan Ayyub recalled working alongside Khan in “Raees”:
Shah Rukh Khan is educated, wise, aware, and remembers people,
—Zeeshan Ayyub, Actor
Impact on Storytelling and Fandom in Indian Cinema
The alternate endings of “Harikrishnans” serve as an early example of filmmakers directly acknowledging and accommodating the complex dynamics of star power and devoted fandom in Indian cinema. The move to nearly have Shah Rukh Khan in a pivotal Malayalam role underscores how cross-regional collaborations and experimental storytelling have long intrigued the industry. While controversy briefly clouded the film’s release, its daring approach continues to be discussed for the way it challenged narrative norms and highlighted the influence of audience allegiance.
With “Housefull 5” bringing the concept of multiple endings to a national stage, the legacy of “Harikrishnans” and the near-miss of Shah Rukh Khan’s Malayalam debut are once again in the spotlight, illustrating the ongoing dialogue between creative decisions and fan expectations within Indian entertainment.
