Entertainment
oi-Oneindia Staff
Homi Adajania’s much-awaited romantic drama Cocktail 2 has finally hit theatres, and the film is already creating significant buzz among moviegoers. Featuring Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, and Rashmika Mandanna in lead roles, the movie is being viewed as one of Bollywood’s strongest bets in the romance genre this year.
Homi Adajania’s romantic drama Cocktail 2, starring Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, and Rashmika Mandanna, shows strong advance bookings and is projected to earn over ₹10 crore net on its opening day, serving as a spiritual successor to the 2012 film.
Romantic films have struggled to perform consistently at the box office since the pandemic, with audiences increasingly leaning towards action spectacles, thrillers, and larger-than-life entertainers. Because of this trend, industry experts are closely watching Cocktail 2, hoping it can revive audience interest in modern Bollywood love stories.
While the film appears set for a promising opening weekend, the bigger question remains whether it can match or surpass the success achieved by the original Cocktail.
Strong Advance Booking Numbers Signal A Solid Opening
According to Sacnilk, Cocktail 2 recorded impressive advance booking figures ahead of its release. The film sold more than 1.6 lakh tickets for its opening day through advance sales alone and generated approximately ₹5.57 crore gross revenue.
The numbers become even more impressive when blocked seats are taken into consideration. Including those seats, the advance booking total reportedly climbs beyond ₹8 crore gross.
For a romantic drama that does not feature a traditional Bollywood megastar, these figures are considered highly encouraging. Industry observers believe that the popularity of the Cocktail brand, combined with the fan following of Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, and Rashmika Mandanna, has played a major role in building excitement around the film.
Double-Digit Day One Collection Looks Highly Likely
The current booking trend suggests that Cocktail 2 is on track to register a double-digit opening at the domestic box office. In simple terms, this means the film is expected to earn more than ₹10 crore net across India on its first day.
Some trade estimates are even more optimistic, projecting an opening-day collection of around ₹12 crore net. If these predictions turn out to be accurate, the film would deliver one of the strongest openings of Shahid Kapoor’s recent career.
Such a performance would mark Shahid’s best opening day since the blockbuster Kabir Singh in 2019. It would also become the fourth-biggest opening of his career overall, trailing only Padmaavat, Kabir Singh, and Shandaar.
Can Cocktail 2 Beat The Original Cocktail?
One of the major comparisons being made is with the first Cocktail, which was released in 2012. The original film opened to collections slightly above ₹10 crore on its first day, making it a successful launch for its time.
Based on current projections, Cocktail 2 is likely to surpass that opening-day figure in absolute box-office numbers. However, the comparison becomes more complicated when inflation and changing ticket prices are considered.
Trade analysts point out that in order to truly outperform the original film, Cocktail 2 would need to collect approximately ₹18-19 crore on its opening day. At present, that target appears difficult to achieve. This makes it unlikely that the new film will surpass its predecessor in inflation-adjusted terms.
A New Story, Not A Direct Continuation
Directed by Homi Adajania, Cocktail 2 is being marketed as a spiritual successor to the 2012 hit rather than a direct sequel. The original movie starred Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, and Diana Penty and went on to become one of the most loved romantic dramas of its era.
To avoid confusion among fans, Kriti Sanon recently clarified that the new film does not continue the storyline of the original. Instead, it belongs to the same franchise while presenting a completely fresh narrative with new characters and a different emotional journey.
This approach allows the filmmakers to retain the brand value of Cocktail while introducing an entirely new story for today’s audience.
Rashmika’s Viral Reaction Steals The Spotlight
During a recent promotional event for Cocktail 2, Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna interacted with fans and members of the media. The event took an unexpected turn when someone from the audience asked whether the film featured a “lesbian love story.”
The question instantly triggered laughter from Rashmika Mandanna, who struggled to contain her reaction. The moment quickly grabbed attention and became a talking point among attendees.
Kriti Sanon then stepped in to clarify the nature of the relationships shown in the film. Addressing the speculation in a light-hearted manner, she said, “We are three straight people, guys. It’s only an emotional threesome, not physical.”
Her response helped clear up misunderstandings while also highlighting the emotional dynamics that form the core of the film’s storyline.
