Bollywood has a unique way of staying with us long after the theater lights come on. Whether it’s a tragic sacrifice, a mind-bending twist, or a triumphant moment of justice, the final minutes of a Hindi film often define its legacy. A great ending doesn’t just wrap up the story—it elevates it.
In this comprehensive guide, we explore the best movie endings of all time in Bollywood, ranging from the golden age of cinema to modern-day psychological thrillers.
The Power of the Climax in Indian Cinema
In Bollywood, the climax is often referred to as the “paisa vasool” (worth the money) moment. Historically, Indian audiences leaned toward happy endings where the hero wins and the family reunites.3 However, over the last few decades, filmmakers have experimented with ambiguity, tragedy, and shock value.4
According to industry studies, nearly 70% of moviegoers claim their lasting impression of a film is determined solely by its ending.5 This is why directors like Sriram Raghavan or Sanjay Leela Bhansali spend months perfecting the final act.
1. Andhadhun (2018): The “Can He See?” Mystery
Perhaps the most debated ending in modern Bollywood history is Sriram Raghavan’s Andhadhun.
The Plot Twist
Throughout the film, we watch Akash (Ayushmann Khurrana), a pianist who fakes blindness, get caught in a web of murders.6 In the final scene, years later in Europe, Akash tells his ex-girlfriend Sophie a harrowing story of his escape. As he walks away, he uses his cane to neatly strike a can out of his path.7
Why it’s Iconic
The “can-kick” left audiences stunned. Did he regain his sight? Was he lying about the entire climax? This open-ended finale turned Andhadhun into a cult classic, sparking thousands of internet theories.8
2. Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995): The Train Scene
You cannot discuss Bollywood endings without mentioning the most famous train station in cinematic history.
The Moment
Amrish Puri’s character, the stern Baldev Singh, finally lets go of his daughter Simran’s (Kajol) hand, uttering the legendary line: “Ja Simran ja, jee le apni zindagi” (Go Simran, go live your life). Simran runs alongside the moving train as Raj (Shah Rukh Khan) reaches out to pull her aboard.
Why it’s Iconic
It is the ultimate symbol of liberalization and traditional values merging. It wasn’t just a girl catching a train; it was the victory of love over patriarchy, cemented by one of the most romantic visuals in global cinema.
3. Kahaani (2012): The Mother Durga Revelation
Sujoy Ghosh’s Kahaani redefined the suspense thriller genre in India.9
The Ending
We spend the whole movie sympathizing with a pregnant Vidya Bagchi (Vidya Balan) searching for her missing husband in Kolkata during Durga Puja.10 In the final minutes, we realize the pregnancy was a prosthetic ruse. Vidya was an assassin/agent on a mission to avenge her husband’s death.
Why it’s Iconic
The timing of the climax—amidst the immersion of Goddess Durga idols—was poetic. It portrayed the protagonist as a modern-day deity delivering justice, leaving the audience breathless with its sheer audacity.
4. Sholay (1975): Sacrifice and Justice11
Sholay is the definitive “Masala” film, but its ending is surprisingly somber.
The Climax
Jai (Amitabh Bachchan) sacrifices his life to save his friend Veeru (Dharmendra) and Basanti. The film ends with the image of Thakur (Sanjeev Kumar) finally confronting Gabbar Singh, and Veeru leaving the village on a train, looking out at the horizon where his best friend once stood.
Why it’s Iconic
Most 70s films preferred “all-live” happy endings. By killing off a lead hero, Sholay added a layer of pathos and realism that made the victory against Gabbar feel hard-earned and deeply emotional.
5. A Wednesday! (2008): The Power of the Common Man
Neeraj Pandey’s directorial debut is a masterclass in tension.12
The Final Reveal
A man (Naseeruddin Shah) threatens to blow up Mumbai unless four terrorists are released. The police comply, only for the “terrorist” to kill the criminals himself. He reveals he isn’t part of any organization; he is just a “stupid common man” tired of living in fear.
Why it’s Iconic
The final monologue about the frustration of the average citizen resonated deeply with the Indian public. It remains one of the most cathartic endings in Bollywood history.
6. Rang De Basanti (2006): The Ultimate Sacrifice
This film shifted the paradigm of how patriotism is portrayed on screen.
The Ending
A group of university students takes over a radio station to confess to the killing of a corrupt Defense Minister. They choose not to flee, allowing the specialized forces to gun them down while they laugh and joke with each other, paralleling the deaths of freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh.
Why it’s Iconic
The ending was a bold political statement. It suggested that sometimes, the only way to fix a broken system is through extreme sacrifice, leaving the youth of India inspired and devastated simultaneously.
7. Drishyam (2015): Hidden in Plain Sight
Drishyam proved that a hero doesn’t need to throw punches to win; he just needs to be smarter.
The Twist
Vijay Salgaonkar (Ajay Devgn) spends the entire movie protecting his family from a murder investigation.13 In the end, even after the police dig up his backyard, they find nothing. The final shot reveals that Vijay buried the body under the floor of the newly constructed police station itself.14
Why it’s Iconic
It is the ultimate “checkmate” move. The irony of the police sitting on top of the very evidence they are looking for makes this one of the most satisfying thriller endings ever filmed.
8. Anand (1971): The Voice Lives On
Anand is perhaps the most famous “sad” ending in Bollywood.
The Moment
The audience knows from the start that Anand (Rajesh Khanna) is dying of cancer. However, when the moment finally comes, a pre-recorded tape of Anand’s voice begins to play, saying “Zindagi aur maut toh uparwale ke haath mein hai…” (Life and death are in the hands of God).
Why it’s Iconic
It transformed a moment of death into a celebration of life. There wasn’t a dry eye in the theater, and it solidified Rajesh Khanna’s status as the original superstar.
9. Masaan (2015): Finding Hope in Grief
Independent cinema often provides the most nuanced closures.
The Ending
Two separate stories of grief—Deepak (Vicky Kaushal), who lost his lover, and Devi (Richa Chadha), who is haunted by a scandal—finally converge at the Ganges in Sangam. They meet on a boat, and a small smile is shared.
Why it’s Iconic
It’s a quiet, poetic ending. It doesn’t offer a “happily ever after” but suggests the beginning of healing. In a land of loud climaxes, Masaan’s subtlety was revolutionary.
10. Baazigar (1993): The Anti-Hero’s Fall
Before Shah Rukh Khan was the “King of Romance,” he was the king of the dark ending.
The Climax
In a brutal rooftop fight, the anti-hero Ajay/Vicky kills the villain but is mortally wounded himself. He dies in his mother’s arms, having finally avenged his father’s death.
Why it’s Iconic
It was rare for a mainstream hero to die after committing several murders himself. It challenged the audience’s morality—they wanted him to win despite his crimes. This moral ambiguity was ahead of its time.
11. Talaash (2012): The Supernatural Twist15
Aamir Khan’s Talaash starts as a gritty police procedural and ends in the ethereal.
The Twist
The mysterious woman Rosie (Kareena Kapoor), who has been helping Inspector Surjan solve a case, is revealed to be the ghost of a sex worker who died in the same spot years earlier. She wasn’t just an informant; she was seeking justice for her own forgotten murder.
Why it’s Iconic
While controversial for some, the twist added a haunting, melancholic layer to a story about grief and “finding” what is lost.
Categorizing the Best Endings
To help you find your next watch, we’ve categorized these iconic finales based on their emotional impact:
| Movie | Genre | Ending Type |
| Andhadhun | Thriller | Ambiguous / Mind-Blowing |
| DDLJ | Romance | Triumphant / Classic |
| Anand | Drama | Heartbreaking / Poetic |
| Drishyam | Crime | Genius / Satisfying |
| Rang De Basanti | Social | Tragic / Patriotic |
| Ugly | Neo-noir | Devastating / Realistic |
Honourable Mentions
- Lootera (2013): The “Last Leaf” ending that brought a literary classic to life with heartbreaking beauty.
- Gupt (1997): The shocking reveal of Kajol as the obsessed killer.
- Tamasha (2015): The stage performance where the protagonist finally “finds” himself.
- 3 Idiots (2009): The reveal that the topper “Phunsukh Wangdu” was actually the free-spirited Rancho.
Conclusion: Why Do These Endings Matter?
A movie’s ending is its final handshake with the audience. The films listed above are considered the “best” because they respected the viewer’s intelligence and emotions. They didn’t just end; they resonated. Whether it’s the thrill of Drishyam or the tears of Kal Ho Naa Ho, these finales have become part of India’s cultural fabric.