The upcoming comedy film Housefull 5 has been making headlines for its bold and experimental narrative style, particularly its decision to feature multiple climaxes — a twist that’s relatively rare in mainstream Bollywood. While this idea has created a buzz and left fans curious about how the makers will pull off such a complex structure in a commercial entertainer, it’s worth noting that this approach isn’t exactly new. In fact, long before Housefull 5 grabbed attention with this unconventional format, a Netflix original had already explored the concept of alternate endings in a unique and engaging way.
One such example is the interactive film Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, released in 2018. A part of the acclaimed anthology series Black Mirror, the movie pushed storytelling boundaries by allowing viewers to make choices for the protagonist, leading to various narrative paths and multiple possible endings. This choose-your-own-adventure format gave audiences control over the story’s direction — a groundbreaking move that created a sense of immersion and unpredictability.
While Bandersnatch leaned into the sci-fi genre and was lauded for its dark psychological themes, Housefull 5 plans to implement the multiple climax format through the lens of comedy, something much more light-hearted and mass-appealing. The shift in tone and genre makes Housefull 5 a risky yet exciting venture, as it brings experimental storytelling into a mainstream Bollywood comedy franchise known for its slapstick humor and ensemble cast.
What makes Housefull 5’s take more challenging is that, unlike Bandersnatch — where viewer choices dictated the storyline — this film will feature different climaxes within a linear viewing experience. That means the filmmakers have the task of seamlessly blending these multiple endings without confusing or overwhelming the audience. Director Tarun Mansukhani and producer Sajid Nadiadwala seem confident in delivering this never-before-seen formula to Indian cinema, promising laughs, chaos, and a whole lot of surprises.
Ultimately, the use of multiple climaxes isn’t a brand-new phenomenon, but its adaptation to a Bollywood comedy format is certainly a fresh spin. While Bandersnatch approached it with tech-driven innovation and thematic depth, Housefull 5 aims to give audiences a rollercoaster of laughs and outrageous scenarios — and maybe even spark a trend where Hindi films get bolder in how they present and conclude their stories.
In an era where audiences are craving novelty and unpredictability, the idea of films breaking traditional storytelling boundaries — whether on Netflix or in a big-screen masala entertainer — is a welcome evolution. With Housefull 5, Bollywood appears ready to play with its own rulebook, and if successful, it might just inspire more filmmakers to reimagine how stories can end… or not end at all.
