This Malayalam movie had two climaxes released in theatres long back in 1998

Most recently I heard news, the climax of Bollywood thriller Crazxy (2025) was changed and re-released in theatre as a modified version, and many felt that, the new version emotionally resonated with audience more. Maybe it’s something new to Bollywood. In fact Shah Rukh Khan has once told in an interview that, in future movie climax will be changed and the alternate endings will be made based on public demand. In Bollywood, such a thing happened in 2025 when audience were dissatisfied with the climax of Crazxy.

Maybe it’s something new to Bollywood. But it has happened in Mollywood 25 years back when two entirely different climaxes were shot for a single film & both shown in theatres too. It was done only to appease fans. Are you shocked? Yes, it absolutely happened. Let’s know.

Story behind Harikrishnans’ multiple endings

You will be surprised to know, a movie was released in Malayalam in 1998, directed by Fasil named Harikrishnans, where 2 climaxes were shot and even released at theatres. After Mammootty and Mohanlal became superstars it was the first full-length movie where they worked together. Before that Mammootty did a cameo role in Mohanlal’s No: 20 Madras Mail.

Coming back to the topic, Harikrishnans was a love triangle, with Juhi Chawla playing the lead role. It was a time when Juhi was ruling at the top in Bollywood. Quite interestingly Deewana Mastana was also released same year, which shares almost a similar story like Harikrishnans, where both the actors fighting each other to impress the heroine. Both the movies had a humour flavour, and breaking the stereotypes, none of the heroes showed ‘sacrificing’ nature. They were literally fighting for her.

In South Kerala, it was shown as Juhi chooses Mohanlal and in North Kerala Juhi chooses Mammooty, to please fans of both actors. (Mohanlal has more fans in Hindu dominant south Kerala and Mammootty has more fans in Muslim dominant North. It’s a fact). It was shown as she chooses the friend, in the film. Both the versions were released in theatres at the same time and both were blockbusters. You will be more surprised to know, a third climax similar to Deewana Mastana was also planned. You will be shocked to know, it was none other than Shah Rukh Khan. Even the posters were made, and shown as ad in print newspapers. But it was never released.

Only the Mohanlal version of the film was submitted to CBFC and censored

Though two climaxes were shot only Mohanlal version was submitted at censor board and got published. However multiple climaxes were shown at theatres to appease the fan base of the lead actors Mammootty and Mohanlal. In the film climax, it was a difficult decision for Juhi Chawla’s character to choose one among them, as she admired both equally. So she goes for a selection method which her grandmother taught her and chose her friend from both men.

Two climaxes were shot, Hari (Mammootty) winning the toss and Krishnan (Mohanlal) winning the toss. Out of 14 districts of Kerala, Mohanlal version was shown in the 7 districts of South Kerala where he holds a stronger fanbase while Mammootty version was shown in the 7 districts of North Kerala, where he holds a stronger fanbase. Though a neutral third climax was planned similar to Deewana Mastana with Shah Rukh Khan playing Juhi’s fiancée, this plot was never materialized. The plan was abandoned due to difficulty in introducing a subplot. But a photoshoot was done and posters were released with caption, “I am also in the film” – Shah Rukh delivering this dialogue.

Lawsuits were filed which caused taking down of uncensored Mammootty version from theatres

It took a communal turn when lawsuits were filed citing different versions are shown based on community dominance in different parts of the state, and Mammootty version which was not at all censored was taken down from theatres. The theatre version where Juhi Chawla accepts Mohanlal was retained. However both the versions were shown in television premiere back then.

How three big stars of Indian Cinema came in a single frame in the 1990s?

The story behind this iconic photo is interesting. The film’s shooting was going on in Ootty. Shah Rukh Khan, who is a big friend of Juhi Chawla visited her in the film sets when he reached the same place for his shooting purposes. Juhi, who used to meet Shah Rukh after film shooting told him that to get a homely feel, he should visit the set of this film. When she was repeatedly praising about the film set, crew and actors, King Khan expressed his desire to do at least a single shot in the film (as per media reports). That’s how this iconic shot was done. Even it was used as a marketing strategy during the film’s release. However, to avoid artificiality, the director decided not to shoot this alternate climax. If Shah Rukh had become the part of this memorable film always remembered as the movie where both ‘M’s acted together, it would have been a single Malayalam film in which Shah Rukh acted. A quarter decade has gone in the past. Still waiting for that wonderful moment when Shah Rukh appears on Malayalam screen, at least for a cameo role.