Filmmaker Vipul Amrutlal Shah recently shared his insights during a candid session on The Comedy Factory’s Lavari show. He discussed the making of his 2002 thriller, Aankhen, and surprised everyone by revealing that the film had two distinct endings. The conversation took a light-hearted turn when host Chirayu Mistry confessed to having seen the alternate ending via a pirated copy on YouTube, prompting Shah to humorously suggest that he might have to take action against the piracy of his own work.
Diving into the alternate conclusions, Shah elaborated, “In one ending, Ilias meets his demise. The other, which was intended for international audiences, showed the stolen diamonds hidden in a harmonium. After Ilias dies, the two protagonists accidentally discover it.”
He then described the international version, explaining, “In this ending, as people depart, Amitji emerges from jail at a railway station. Akshay and Arjun Rampal’s characters watch him, and Akshay says, ‘I have a feeling he’s here.’ Amitji responds, ‘Dangerous Game is about to begin,’ which concludes the film.”
Shah indicated that this cliffhanger was a deliberate choice. “The plan was to set up a sequel, which is why it ended on a suspenseful note. My talented producer almost had the sequel ready, but I had a change of heart and vowed not to make one. That was the moment I decided to become a producer myself.”
Reflecting on his transition to producing, he stated, “Honestly, I felt compelled to take this path. I needed to bring my vision to life. I met nearly all the major producers in the industry, and while they were eager to collaborate, I often found myself having nightmares afterward, thinking, ‘What kind of people are these?’ They were intense and relentless. It felt like I’d be in the hospital by the time I turned 30. After those experiences, I resolved to produce my own films, which led to the establishment of my production banner.”
Shah’s insights not only reveal the intriguing alternate endings of Aankhen but also illuminate the personal experiences that influenced his evolution as a filmmaker and producer.