After months of promotions, songs, and endless discussions on social media, Cocktail 2 has finally arrived in cinemas. The romantic drama, starring Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, and Rashmika Mandanna, kicked off its theatrical run with a respectable opening at the global box office. While critics remain divided over the film’s storytelling choices, audiences still turned up in decent numbers on the first day, helping the movie secure one of the stronger openings among Bollywood releases this year.
Directed by Homi Adajania, the film carries the Cocktail brand nearly fourteen years after the original movie became a pop-culture favorite. Unlike a direct sequel, Cocktail 2 tells a fresh story with new characters, though it retains the emotional triangle and relationship-driven conflicts that made the first film popular among younger audiences. The opening day figures suggest that curiosity around the franchise and the star cast managed to pull audiences into theatres.
Cocktail 2 Starts Strong at the Worldwide Box Office
According to early trade estimates, Cocktail 2 collected ₹20.20 crore worldwide on its opening day. The film reportedly earned around ₹13.50 crore from the Indian net box office, while overseas markets contributed approximately ₹4 crore. With India’s gross collection estimated at ₹16.20 crore, the film comfortably crossed the ₹20 crore mark globally on day one.
The numbers become even more interesting when viewed against the genre. Romantic dramas have struggled to generate large openings in recent years, with action spectacles and franchise films dominating the market. In that context, Cocktail 2 managing a double-digit opening indicates that there is still a sizeable audience for relationship-driven stories when supported by recognizable stars and strong pre-release buzz.
Advance bookings also played a key role in setting up the opening day. Reports before release suggested that the film sold more than 1.6 lakh tickets in advance bookings, creating momentum heading into Friday. That early interest appears to have translated into decent occupancy across major urban centres.
The Film Revisits Love, Friendship and Complicated Choices
At the heart of Cocktail 2 is a modern relationship drama involving three people whose lives become increasingly tangled. Shahid Kapoor plays Kunal, while Rashmika Mandanna stars as Diya, his childhood sweetheart. The couple has spent years together, but the question of marriage continues to hover over their relationship, creating tension beneath the surface.
Before taking the next step in their lives, the pair travel to Sicily for what is supposed to be a memorable getaway. Things begin to change when Diya reconnects with her friend Ally, played by Kriti Sanon. Wanting reassurance about Kunal’s loyalty, Diya asks Ally to spend time with him and test his commitment. What starts as a harmless idea soon spirals into emotional complications as feelings begin to develop in unexpected directions.
The narrative revolves around friendship, attraction, trust, and the difficult decisions people make when emotions become messy. Much like the original Cocktail, the sequel attempts to explore modern relationships while balancing romance and drama against a glamorous backdrop.
Shahid Kapoor Questions Film’s A Certificate
Even before release, Cocktail 2 found itself in headlines after receiving an A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification. The decision surprised many observers, including Shahid Kapoor himself, who publicly questioned the rating during promotional activities.
Reacting to the certification, Shahid said, “There’s nothing in this film that you would object to. I don’t understand why we received an A-rating. This is a story of three people that can be watched by everyone.”
His comments quickly gained attention online, with several fans also expressing confusion over the classification. Despite the debate, the certification did not appear to affect the film’s opening-day business in any significant way.
Big Budget, Big Stars and High Expectations
Cocktail 2 is among the more expensive romantic dramas produced in recent years. Industry reports suggest the film has been mounted on a budget of around ₹150 crore, making its theatrical performance crucial in the coming weeks. The production features international locations, extensive music sequences, and a cast that includes some of Bollywood’s most recognizable names.
Shahid Kapoor is reportedly the highest-paid actor associated with the project, with reports claiming a fee of around ₹35 crore. Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna are both said to have received approximately ₹15 crore each for their roles. While such figures remain unofficial, they reflect the scale at which the project was developed.
The film also had to navigate speculation surrounding its storyline before release. Rumours circulated online claiming that Cocktail 2 would focus on a lesbian romance between the characters played by Kriti and Rashmika. However, both actresses dismissed those reports during promotional events, clarifying that the film does not revolve around such a relationship and follows a very different narrative path.
For now, the film has delivered a decent start at the box office, but its real test begins over the weekend. With a reported budget of ₹150 crore and mixed critical reception, Cocktail 2 will need strong word-of-mouth and sustained audience support to maintain momentum in the days ahead. Whether it can match the cultural impact of the original Cocktail remains to be seen, but the franchise’s return has certainly grabbed attention with a ₹20.20 crore worldwide opening.
