Housefull 5A and 5B difference explained: Why the Akshay Kumar film has two versions and which one should you watch
Akshay Kumar is back with the mindless comedy genre with Housefull 5, which has hit the screens today (June 6). The Tarun Mansukhani-directed film is getting one of the widest releases of Akshay's career, with release in 5000 screens across India. Interestingly, the film has released in two versions, but not by language or viewing format, but by its climax. Housefull 5 has two different endings, with both getting a simultaneous release as Housefull 5A and Housefull 5B. (Also read: Housefull 5 review and release live updates: Akshay Kumar fans call it 'best in franchise'; twin ending cause confusion)
Housefull 5 is the story of a murder on a cruise ship. A wealthy billionaire (Ranjeet) is murdered shortly after he announces he will leave his wealth to his successor Jolly. The twist is that there are three Jollys on the cruise - Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, and Abhishek Bachchan. The three, and their girlfriends (Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, and Nargis Fakhri) are all suspects in the murder. The two versions of Housefull 5 have different climaxes and different killers, which changes the viewing experience slightly. According to the makers, of the 140-minute runtime of the film, the first two hours are the same in both versions, but the last 20 minutes differ.
Distributors say that they are securing almost equal screens for both versions. Most multiplexes have kept 2 shows per screen for both films, with any additional show going to Kamal Haasan's Thug Life, which has also released this weekend.
Early reactions from fans and critics for the film have largely been positive, with praise for the comedy and slapstick nature of the film. The reactions say that 5A has a clear resolution, and 5B comes close to replicating it as well, but it did seem forced to a few. If you go by what the makers say, you could watch both. In a video posted by Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment ahead of the release, Akshay and Riteish urged the audiences to watch the film twice - once for each ending.
The idea behind the two endings is an attempt to maximise profits. If the film has a positive word of mouth, audiences will be encouraged to go to the theatres. And the makers are hoping that the two endings will cause some viewers, if not all, to return to the theatres for repeat viewings. The trend of watching a film in theatres multiple times is on the wane, outside of the hardcore fandoms of actors. This is what Housefull 5 makers hope to revive.
Directed by Tarun Mansukhani of Dostana fame, Housefull 5 stars Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, Fardeen Khan, Nana Patekar, Jackie Shroff, Ranjeet, Johny Lever, Jacqueline Fernandez, Nargis Fakhri, Chunky Panday, Dino Morea, Sonam Bajwa, and Soundarya Sharma. Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala's production banner Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment, Housefull 5 is the fifth instalment of the Housefull franchise.
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Mint
3 hours ago
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Housefull 5A & 5B: Discover the two epic endings of Akshay Kumar's film – which one will you choose?
Akshay Kumar returns to comedy, but in a new avatar with Housefull 5. But how you ask? Because the new instalment of the Housefull franchise is a murder mystery this time. The twist doesn't end here. Released on June 6, the film comes with not one, but two different endings -something different for the audience this time. Released as Housefull 5A and Housefull 5B, each version offers a different climax with a different killer; a double dose of fun, chaos, and confusion. So, which one is the right pick for you? Housefull 5 sets sail on a luxury cruise where a billionaire celebrates his birthday. But the fun takes a deadly turn when the birthday boy (played by Ranjeet) is mysteriously found dead, right after declaring he'll leave his fortune to someone named Jolly. The catch? There are three Jollys on the ship—played by Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, and Abhishek Bachchan—and all three, along with their glamorous girlfriends (played by Jacqueline Fernandez, Sonam Bajwa, and Nargis Fakhri respectively), land on the suspect list. Blending mindless comedy with the franchise's signature spirit, the film comes in two versions. Each one has a different killer and alternate ending, elevating viewers' experience. While the first two hours of Housefull 5A and Housefull 5B remain the same, it's the last 20 minutes which sets the climax apart. Reportedly, both versions of the film are getting nearly equal screen space at theatres. Most multiplexes seem to be running two shows each of Housefull 5A and 5B per screen. The film is majorly clashing with Kamal Haasan's Thug Life, which was released in theatres on June 5. Going by online reviews from fans and critics, Housefull 5 has received a mixed response. Talking about Housefull 5A, a user wrote on X, formerly Twitter, 'Housefull 5A is my favourite film this year! Redefining the limits of cinema. Proud to have seen this piece of art. Can literally not imagine how they made it, it is insane that so much money was invested to pull this off. Now give me my money back.' 'Just watched #Housefull5A and it's literally a house full of laughter, madness, and non-stop fun,' added another. After watching Housefull 5B, one more wrote in an impromptu review: 'I watched #Housefull5B. It's so good. Khiladi back on his way.' 'Some insights on #Housefull5 A and #Housefull5 B. A is more of a comedy, with a light-hearted climax presented in comic way. B follows a Darker tone and ends with a serious climax (sic).' Previously, Akshay Kumar had advised viewers to watch the film two times, one version each time for better understanding. The idea of having two different climaxes is said to be a fun strategy to maximise profits. It may also boost footfall in the theatres. At the trailer launch of Housefull 5, producer Sajid Nadiadwala had said that a film with two different endings was something that hadn't 'happened anywhere else in the world'. He added that he had been toying with the idea for the last 30 years. "I've written a story [Housefull] where every theatre will have a different killer. So, if you watch it at Gaiety, it'll have one killer. If you watch it at Galaxy, there'll be another. In PVR screen number 4, you'll see a different killer, and in PVR screen number 5, yet another one. It's like every time you watch the film, you'll get a different ending," he had said. Housefull 5 is directed by Tarun Mansukhani. It stars Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan, Fardeen Khan, Nana Patekar, Jackie Shroff, Ranjeet, Johny Lever, Jacqueline Fernandez, Nargis Fakhri, Chunky Panday, Dino Morea, Sonam Bajwa, and Soundarya Sharma. The film marks one of the widest releases in Akshay Kumar's career, with 5,000 screens nationwide.
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