Samriti Dhatwalia
Author and columnist Shobhaa De has sparked fresh debate with her brutally honest review of Cocktail 2.
While the romantic drama has crossed the ₹100 crore mark worldwide within six days of its release, De’s verdict on the film, and especially on Rashmika Mandanna’s performance has become the latest talking point.
High praise for Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon
Sharing her thoughts on social media, De singled out Shahid Kapoor as the film’s standout performer, calling him the “best part” of Cocktail 2. She also appreciated Kriti Sanon’s performance, suggesting the duo carried the film despite its shortcomings.
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However, she felt the sequel failed to recreate the magic of the 2012 original, remarking that it simply could not match the charm of the first Cocktail.
‘Hindi films are just not for you’: Rashmika faces criticism
The harshest criticism was reserved for Rashmika Mandanna. De wrote that the actor looked out of place in the film and bluntly stated, “So sorry, but Hindi films are just not for you.” The remark has quickly gone viral, dividing social media users. While some agreed with her assessment, others defended Rashmika, pointing to her growing popularity in Bollywood and recent commercial successes.
Despite mixed reviews, the film scores at the box office
Directed by Homi Adajania, Cocktail 2 stars Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna in a contemporary love triangle. Although critics and audiences remain divided over the film’s storytelling, it has continued to perform strongly at the box office, crossing the ₹100 crore mark globally within its first week.