The Unbelievable Tale of 'Harikrishnans': How One Film Divided a Nation and Sparked a Landmark Lawsuit

Ah, the late 90s! A golden era for Malayalam cinema, often defined by the friendly yet fierce rivalry between two titans: Mohanlal and Mammootty. Their films weren't just movies; they were events, often sparking passionate debates among their legions of fans. But imagine a situation where a single film, featuring both these stalwarts, didn't just fuel a debate but actually ignited a full-blown legal and communal controversy. That's exactly what happened with the 1998 romantic thriller, "Harikrishnans," a movie that, for a brief period, managed to stir up quite a storm, even leading to a court case where a viewer sought compensation for emotional distress. It was quite something, truly unprecedented.

Directed by the acclaimed Fazil, "Harikrishnans" brought together Mohanlal as Harikrishnan and Mammootty as Krishnan, both successful lawyers and detectives. They found themselves entangled in a romantic triangle with Meera, played by the Bollywood sensation Juhi Chawla, who made her Malayalam debut. The central premise revolved around Meera's dilemma: which of these charming, equally intelligent men would she choose? The entire narrative cleverly played on this suspense, making viewers eagerly anticipate her final decision. This was the setup, seemingly innocuous enough for a romantic thriller, but what followed was anything but ordinary.

Now, here's where the story takes an utterly unexpected turn, and frankly, a bewildering one. The film, believe it or not, was released with two different endings! In some regions, Juhi Chawla's character, Meera, ultimately chose Mohanlal's Harikrishnan. In other areas, however, she opted for Mammootty's Krishnan. Can you even begin to imagine the confusion? Or, more accurately, the absolute outrage this caused, especially among the already passionate fan bases of these two actors? It wasn't just a matter of differing plot points; it was perceived as a deliberate slight, an insult to their respective idols. The communal angle, sadly, also crept in, exacerbating tensions in an already heated environment.

Indeed, this wasn't just a minor oversight. This whole debacle sparked an absolute firestorm, pushing an already intense fan rivalry to its absolute limits. Audiences felt utterly betrayed. One particular viewer, a man named Jayasurya from Kottayam, was so genuinely rattled and felt so cheated that he decided to take matters into his own hands. He didn't just grumble; he moved court, filing a case against the film's director, producer, and the theatre owner. His plea? Compensation for the "mental agony" he suffered, the valuable time he felt he'd wasted, and the money he'd spent on a ticket for what he considered an incomplete or misleading experience. Talk about taking consumer rights seriously!

The court, after hearing the arguments, actually sided with Jayasurya. In a landmark judgment, it ruled that the filmmakers and the theatre were indeed liable. The verdict ordered a refund of his ticket price, a sum of Rs 2500 as compensation for the emotional distress and mental agony he endured, and an additional Rs 1000 to cover his litigation costs. This wasn't just a small victory; it sent a clear message about accountability and audience trust in the Indian film industry. It highlighted how deeply invested viewers are in their cinematic experiences, to the point of seeking legal recourse when they feel wronged.

Years later, the film's director, Fazil, finally offered an explanation for this unprecedented gaffe. He clarified that the intended ending, the one where Meera chooses Mohanlal's character, was the only official conclusion. The other ending, where she picked Mammootty, was apparently a result of a technical glitch or an oversight during the printing process. According to Fazil, some reels with this alternative ending were mistakenly distributed to certain regions, leading to the massive confusion and the subsequent uproar. It was a genuine error, he asserted, not a mischievous attempt to pit fans against each other or to create controversy intentionally. While this clarification eventually came, it certainly didn't prevent the immediate uproar or the ensuing legal battle at the time.

Looking back, the "Harikrishnans" controversy remains a peculiar, almost legendary chapter in Malayalam cinema history. It serves as a fascinating reminder of the power of audience expectation, the intense devotion fans have for their screen idols, and the unexpected ways technical errors can snowball into major public disputes. It was a lesson learned the hard way, not just for the filmmakers involved, but for the industry at large, emphasizing the critical importance of meticulous attention to detail and clear communication, especially when dealing with the passions of an adoring public.