Akshay Kumar is back in action with his comedy franchise, Housefull, and this time it comes with a surprising twist. The makers of Housefull 5 have prepared two different versions of the film for theatrical release — Housefull 5A and Housefull 5B. Interestingly, both versions run for 165 minutes and 48 seconds and have received U/A certificates from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
This never-seen-before move has raised curiosity among fans and film experts alike. While the official reason for the two versions hasn’t been revealed yet, buzz suggests that each version may have a different ending, offering audiences a new experience based on which version they watch.
Censor Board Asks for Audio and Visual Cuts Before Final Approval
The CBFC reviewed the film and asked the makers to remove or alter certain dialogues and scenes. In total, 11 seconds of content was removed or modified.
- Dialogues starting with phrases like “Nik Duyogi” and “Apne” have been changed.
- Words such as “item” and “haram” have been removed and replaced with more acceptable terms.
- A dialogue at 1 hour and 53 minutes into the film was completely deleted.
On the visual front:
- The scene where “Champagne Coming” is mentioned has been trimmed.
- Two hand gesture scenes have been modified.
- A sensitive visual was shortened by 2 seconds to suit the audience of all ages under U/A norms.
After these changes, CBFC cleared both versions of the film on May 28.
Double Ending Strategy Could Be a Game Changer
This is the first time in Bollywood that a major commercial film is set to release in two certified versions with the same duration. Though both versions are named differently, the plot twist lies in what’s different — likely the film’s climax.
This strategy could bring fans to the theatres more than once, making it a clever marketing move. Whether it works or not will be seen once the film releases.
Fans React With Mixed Emotions After Trailer Drop
The trailer of Housefull 5 is already out and getting a lot of attention on social media. Some people are excited to see Akshay Kumar return to comedy, while others are trolling the film for its over-the-top humour.
Still, the film’s unusual two-version release is likely to pull audience curiosity and increase box office buzz. With a runtime of nearly 2 hours and 46 minutes, the film promises a full dose of entertainment for fans of the franchise.
