Cocktail 2 controversy: Shahid Kapoor upset over screen time as Rashmika–Kriti Sanon roles dominate

They say good or bad, any kind of promotion for the film is beneficial. Well, this is what's happening currently with Cocktail 2.

Shahid Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, and Kriti Sanon's upcoming film Cocktail 2 is grabbing headlines for all the wrong reasons. Ever since the first look was dropped, fans have been unhappy with their outfits and have said that Cocktail 2 wasn't required.

The first teaser gave a sneak peek into the actors' characters, which seemed hugely similar to Cocktail 1. In the original, Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, and Diana Penty played iconic roles. In Cocktail 2, Rashmika is the sweet girl-next-door, similar to Diana's character. Deepika's role is essayed by Kriti, and Shahid reprises a character similar to Saif's.

The teaser was played in cinema halls during the break of Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar 2. The makers then dropped character posters and later released a song on Wednesday. Amid ongoing promotions and fans waiting for the trailer, the song release received mixed reactions, especially regarding the chemistry between Shahid, Kriti, and Rashmika on screen.

However, before the release of the song and posters, a social media post on Reddit caught attention after Bipasha Basu shared it. The post alleged that Shahid is upset with his role in Cocktail 2.

The report suggested that Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna have comparatively more prominent roles in the sequel. Soon after Bipasha reposted it, screenshots went viral online and became a talking point on Reddit.

The post read, "Kriti Sanon is said to have landed the most substantial role, reminiscent of Deepika Padukone's iconic part in the original, while Rashmika Mandanna reportedly plays a charming character expected to win audience love. The post further suggests that both actresses share a strong bond off-screen and are keen on collaborating again, possibly in Jee Le Zaraa by Farhan Akhtar. Meanwhile, Shahid Kapoor is alleged to be unhappy with his comparatively subdued role, leading to reported disagreements on set." However, these claims remain speculative and unconfirmed, with no official statements from the actors or the makers.

Bipasha Reposted The Rumour About Shahid Being Insecure On Sets Of Cocktail 2
by u/Guylikeshismovies in BollyBlindsNGossip

Netizens came out in support of Bipasha, saying she may have reposted it by mistake, but also called out Shahid for his alleged insecurity. His last film, O Romeo, also tanked at the box office. Shahid had earlier expressed concerns during Padmaavat, stating that Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone dominated the film while he was sidelined. According to the post, he now feels left out again in Cocktail 2.

Tea on Cocktail 2.
by u/Janaab_e_Marvel_3000 in BollyBlindsNGossip

One user commented, "I think she was going to the comment section, but the Insta page being weird had her reposting it."

Another wrote, "Lol... galti se ho gaya... but Shahid being insecure of his co-stars is constant... pehle sirf heroes se hota tha, ab heroines se bhi hone lag gaya."

Another comment read, "She was probably trying to read the comments and accidentally pressed repost. Happens a lot with the new Insta update." One more added, "This is a pattern with Shahid. Always insecure about his co-stars."

Shahid and Bipasha have previously worked together in the 2005 Hindi drama Shikhar, directed by John Matthew Matthan, also starring Ajay Devgn and Amrita Rao.

Meanwhile, the song Jab Talak from Cocktail 2 was dropped, and netizens called it cringe. Many felt neither the song nor the chemistry between Shahid and Rashmika worked. Some said it felt like just another song that would soon be forgotten.

Jab Talak | Shahid K, Kriti S, Rashmika M | Pritam, Arijit Singh, Amitabh | Cocktail 2 | 19th June
by u/monkeyishh in BollyBlindsNGossip

A few also claimed the makers were trying to recreate the hit track Tum Hi Ho Bandhu from the first film. One Reddit user wrote, "Same template — people on a beach dancing, taking shots, lead actor doing moves in the centre, actresses walking around fixing their hair." Another said, "I found it awful. Meaningless lyrics, no sync, the whole song felt artificial."

A third user wrote, "The forced vibe on their faces and the vibeless song — what a waste of an EU trip." Another added, "Can't beat Tum Hi Ho Bandhu."

One comment read, "Did they use ChatGPT or Gemini for this song? What even is this melody and lyrics?" Another user wrote, "This is so cringe. Cinema is in a phase where it's desperately trying to recreate classics. Kriti can do so much better."

Cocktail 2 is set to hit theatres on June 19.