Cocktail 2, starring Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna, has sharply divided audiences on social media. Many praise its performances, music, visuals and fresh take on modern relationships, with top critics calling it a worthy, standalone sequel. Others slam its shallow emotional core and underwhelming second half, branding it a glossy but conflicted love triangle.
Some 14 years after Cocktail redefined Bollywood's take on modern relationships, Cocktail 2 has arrived with a new cast, a fresh emotional dilemma and a sharply divided audience. Starring Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna, Homi Adajania’s sequel opened in theatres on June 19, 2026, and quickly sparked debate online. While many viewers are praising the performances, music and visual appeal, others argue that the film struggles under the weight of its central conflict, making Cocktail 2 one of the year's most polarising releases so far. Check out the Cocktail 2 review on Twitter after its first day in theatres.
Several early viewers believe the film successfully carves out its own identity instead of relying on nostalgia. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh awarded the film four stars and wrote, “Cocktail 2: WINNER. More than lives up to expectations... Solid performances, superb music, stunning visuals, and captivating writing – this film scores on all fronts.”
X user Isha was equally impressed, rating the film 4.5 stars and writing, “It's rare for a sequel to honour its original without leaning on it, but Homi Adajania pulls it off. Cocktail 2 stands entirely on its own legs — same DNA, completely new heartbeat.”
Film critic Sumit Kadel also offered a positive assessment, giving the romantic comedy 3.5 stars and calling it “a well-written and deftly directed rom-com entertainer that keeps audiences engaged throughout its runtime.”
Not everyone was convinced. Some viewers felt the film's emotional core lacked depth despite its attractive packaging and star power.
X user Aavishkar described the film as “a picturesque mess of a silly conflict” and rated it 2.5 stars. While praising Kriti Sanon’s energetic screen presence and Shahid Kapoor’s climactic monologue, he criticised the handling of the central relationship drama, arguing that the emotions never fully connect.
Nishit Shaw echoed similar concerns. Awarding the film 2.5 stars, he wrote that Cocktail 2 begins as a decent entertainer but is undermined by an underwhelming second half.
The harshest reaction came from Vishwajit Patil, who called the sequel “an absolute nightmare” and “a soulless sequel,” saying it failed to deliver the vibrant relationship drama he expected.
The film follows Diya and Kunal, whose decade-long relationship is disrupted when Ally, an old friend, unexpectedly returns to their lives. What starts as a carefully planned arrangement between two women soon spirals into emotional chaos, forcing all three characters to confront questions about love, loyalty and friendship.
Written by Luv Ranjan and Tarun Jain and backed by Maddock Films and Luv Films, Cocktail 2 entered cinemas with enormous expectations. Judging by the online reaction, it has achieved one thing beyond doubt: getting audiences talking.