Cocktail 2 X review: Cheers for Kriti Sanon, side-eye for Rashmika Mandanna's accent

Cocktail 2 opened in theatres on June 19 and received mixed reactions on X. Much of the online chatter praised Kriti Sanon, while the screenplay and Rashmika Mandanna's accent faced criticism.

In Short

• Viewers on X called the film glossy but weak on substance
• Kriti Sanon drew the strongest praise for glamour and screen presence
• Several posts criticised the sequel's script as forced, dull and overacted

Cocktail 2 drew mixed reactions on X as the romantic comedy film opened in theatres on June 19. Many viewers said actor Kriti Sanon stood out in Homi Adajania’s directorial, while others criticised the screenplay and called the sequel forced. Some also found Rashmika Mandanna’s accent jarring.

Reactions to the film starring Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, and Rashmika Mandanna varied widely on the Internet. Some viewers described it as glossy but lacking substance, while others called it a decent, watchable film despite a predictable story and a stretched-out second half.

One X user wrote after the first half, "#Cocktail2 1st half done...All gloss, no substance...absurd, dull and boring screenplay...OG Cocktail was relatable, #Cocktail2 is for Juhu Bandra...#KritiSanon full on glamourous mode...#RashmikaMandanna accent. #ShahidKapoor doesn't have much to do...apart from his lover boy role...(sic)"

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Another viewer was harsher and wrote, "Watched #Cocktail2 A forced sequel, boring script & lots of overacting. #KritiSanon is the only saving grace of the film, you can watch it for her. Another flop for Shahid Kapoor. How he is surviving in the industry for more than 2 decades is beyond science (sic)."

A third user called the film "a mixed bag" but said it was better than the trailer had suggested. The user said the film stayed fun despite being predictable, while adding that the second half felt stretched. They described Cocktail 2 as “actually a DECENT FILM”. The post also said Shahid Kapoor overacted in parts, though the finale worked, and added that Rashmika Mandanna should have done better with the accent.

Much of the praise on X was directed at Kriti Sanon. One user wrote, "At this point, Kriti is carrying Cocktail 2 harder than the actual storyline." Another posted, "#KritiSanon is pure fire in #Cocktail2. Effortlessly glamorous and completely owning the screen. Enjoying every bit of this film so far (sic)."

During a first day first show reaction, one viewer wrote, "It's intermission for our FDFS of #Cocktail2 and ohh gosh Kriti Sanon can fit in any role given!!Ally is such a vibe!! Can't wait to watch what is she gonna do next!!"

Another user summed up the mood online by writing, "Cocktail 2 Review: Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon shine, Rashmika Mandanna's accent dubbed 'jarring', netizens slam dull screenplay."

Box office prediction

Trade estimates have suggested a moderate opening for the film. Ahead of release, Cocktail 2 had earned approximately Rs 3.16 crore gross and Rs 2.68 crore nett. The advance figures are lower than the pre-release earnings of Kriti Sanon's Tere Ishk Mein and Rashmika Mandanna's Thamma. Cocktail 2 also recorded the second-lowest advance bookings among Shahid Kapoor's recent theatrical releases, after O'Romeo.

Co-produced by Dinesh Vijan, Pramita Vijan and Luv Ranjan, the film is a spiritual sequel to the 2012 film Cocktail. The romantic drama was cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) with an A certificate.

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