Plot twists you never saw: 5 Bollywood films with alternate endings and why they changed

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Have you ever left a movie theater wondering “What if the story had taken a different turn?” In the realm of Bollywood, such thoughts are not merely flights of fancy. Numerous iconic films were conceived with alternate endings in mind. These range from heart-wrenching sacrifices to unresolved romantic tales, and some filmmakers dared to envision shocking, unconventional conclusions. However, due to various factors like pressure from producers, audience anticipations, or last-minute alterations, these endings were altered. Here’s a peek at 5 Bollywood films that almost left you astonished, along with the intriguing reasons behind the abandonment of their original climaxes.

1. Sholay (1975)

In an interesting twist, the classic movie Sholay, featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan, and Hema Malini, was actually filmed with two alternate conclusions. Unlike the version we eventually saw, where Gabbar escaped, in the unused ending, the police intervened just in time to apprehend Gabbar before he could be slain by Thakur.

Initially, Thakur was shown killing Gabbar using his feet in the original ending, but this scene was altered due to a request from the censor board. In an interview with Indian Express, Ramesh Sippy explained that since Gabbar was being killed and Thakur had no hands, he couldn’t shoot him either. As a result, the director reluctantly changed the scene to comply with the censor board’s guidelines.

2. PK (2014)

Originally, the movie PK featuring Aamir Khan, Anushka Sharma, and Sushant Singh Rajput, had an alternative ending in store. The version we saw depicted Aamir’s character PK returning to earth accompanied by another alien friend (portrayed by Ranbir Kapoor), as part of a fresh research team.

Instead, the original finale had Anushka and Sushant’s characters, Jaggu and Sarfaraaz, performing the Battery Recharge Dance as a tribute to PK. This might have made for a more satisfying ending to the movie, some viewers think. If you’re curious about why this scene was replaced with another, here’s an explanation.

Two explanations were given for the modification. Initially, it was observed that viewers wanted PK, the character, to go back to Earth during test viewings. Additionally, Aamir Khan mentioned that the conclusion was revised following the premiere of Inception, as he perceived some resemblances between them.

3. Baazigar (1993)

In the movie “Baazigar,” featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, and Shilpa Shetty, it is revealed at the end that Ajay, portrayed by SRK, meets his demise. Interestingly, the initial ending for this film was something else entirely.

Abbas-Mustan, the film directors, initially planned for Ajay’s death in the movie, but Rakhee and other distributors felt that wouldn’t be suitable. Instead, they filmed an ending where police arrived and arrested Shah Rukh Khan. However, the director later shared with PTI that this conclusion wasn’t used because it didn’t effectively portray the character’s emotional state.

4. Pink (2016)

Originally, Pink featured Amitabh Bachchan, Kirti Kulhari, and Taapsee Pannu, but the movie’s ending was initially planned differently. The film portrays the girls ultimately prevailing in court after overcoming numerous obstacles, reinforcing the message that “no means no” as embodied by Minal’s story. Interestingly, Pink was initially filmed with a different conclusion – the girls were shown losing the case due to lack of evidence and substantiation.

In a conversation with Bollywood Life, Taapsee Pannu explained that the decision to alter the film’s conclusion was made to offer a meaningful message to viewers and inspire them to display strength and bravery throughout their lives.

5. Delhi 6 (2009)

In the movie Delhi 6, Abhishek Bachchan portrayed Roshan Mehra, while Sonam Kapoor took on the character of Bittu Sharma. As the story wraps up, Roshan manages to survive a violent attack by a mob after transforming into the mythical Kala Bandar to prevent Bittu from fleeing with her lover. He later declares his affection for her. However, events take a dark turn when the crowd mistakes him for the actual Kala Bandar and attacks him. Despite being severely injured, Roshan recovers after encountering his grandfather in heaven.

Yet, the movie concluded differently, carrying a more somber tone. Originally, Roshan’s character was meant to perish after being assaulted by a mob. This alternative ending could have added an extra layer of intrigue and made for a compelling watch. Interestingly, this version of the film was screened at the Venice International Film Festival and garnered acclaim.

According to reports, the final scene was changed because director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra agreed to create a more optimistic ending at the request of UTV Motion Pictures.

In a nutshell, Bollywood has been known for its dramatic storylines, yet some shocking turns that didn’t appear on screen were part of the story’s development. These hidden endings, crafted by backstage decisions, display an intriguing collision between creative aspirations and market pressures. Though viewers only witnessed the finished products, these unseen conclusions contribute to a sense of enigma. Occasionally, the most astonishing plot twists are those that never graced the silver screen.

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2025-05-29 14:38