Cocktail 2 (Movie Review): Shahid Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna & Kriti Sanon Shine in a Blockbuster, Iconic Tale of Love, Friendship and Commitment!

New Delhi: Bollywood actors Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, and Rashmika Mandanna during the promotion of the upcoming film Cocktail 2 at PVR Priya in Vasant Vihar, New Delhi, on Thursday, June 18, 2026. (Photo: IANS/Deepak Kumar)

4.5 stars.

Some relationships don’t end because people stop loving each other. They end because love alone isn’t always enough. Backed by Maddock Films and producer Dinesh Vijan, a banner known for delivering some of the most memorable entertainers and relationship dramas in recent years, Cocktail 2 is yet another winner. Directed by Homi Adajania, the film explores modern relationships with warmth, maturity and emotional honesty, resulting in a story that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable.

While the original film thrived on youthful chaos, Cocktail 2 takes a more mature route. It examines what happens when comfort begins to replace excitement, when commitment feels heavier than romance, and when life forces people to question whether the relationship they’ve built is still the one they truly want.

The Story

Kunal (Shahid Kapoor) and Diya (Rashmika Mandanna) have been together for years. What started as a college romance has survived distance, changing priorities and the challenges of adulthood. Their relationship is comfortable, familiar and seemingly stable, but beneath the surface, cracks have begun to appear.

Diya finds herself grappling with expectations around marriage and commitment, while Kunal continues holding on to a version of their relationship that may no longer exist. Their lives take an unexpected turn during a trip to Sicily, where they meet Ally (Kriti Sanon), a free spirited woman who lives entirely on her own terms.

As the three grow closer, the film gradually unfolds into something far more complex than a traditional love triangle. Friendships blur into emotional attachments, loyalties are tested and difficult questions emerge about love, compatibility and personal happiness.

What makes the narrative work is that it never reduces its characters to heroes or villains. Everyone is flawed, everyone makes mistakes and that honesty gives the film its emotional weight.

Performances

Shahid Kapoor delivers one of his most mature performances in recent years. Kunal is a character filled with contradictions and Shahid captures every shade beautifully. Whether he’s expressing quiet heartbreak, frustration or vulnerability, he keeps the audience invested throughout.

Rashmika Mandanna brings warmth and authenticity to Diya. Many of her moments feel incredibly relatable, particularly when she navigates the pressures placed on women regarding relationships and life choices. She handles both the lighter and emotionally intense scenes with confidence and restraint.

Kriti Sanon is exceptional as Ally. What initially appears to be a carefree and impulsive character slowly reveals surprising emotional depth. Kriti balances Ally’s charm, unpredictability and vulnerability effortlessly, creating one of the film’s most memorable performances.

Together, the trio share terrific chemistry. Their interactions feel natural and lived-in, making every friendship, confrontation and emotional conflict feel genuine. Kriti and Rashmika also share some thoroughly entertaining moments, adding another engaging layer to the film’s relationship dynamics.

Writing, Dialogues and Relationships

One of the film’s biggest strengths is its writing. The relationships feel layered and believable, with conversations that reflect how people actually communicate rather than how movie characters are expected to speak.

The dialogues are sharp, mature and emotionally effective. Several confrontations land with impact because they come from a place of truth rather than melodrama. The film consistently keeps you invested in its characters and the choices they make, while balancing romance, friendship and self-discovery with remarkable ease.

Music and Visuals

Pritam’s music blends seamlessly into the storytelling, elevating both the emotional and romantic moments. The songs never interrupt the narrative and instead become a natural extension of it.

Visually, the film is stunning. Sicily provides a breathtaking backdrop, with every frame looking postcard worthy without ever feeling excessive. The cinematography, fashion and overall production design add tremendous richness to the viewing experience, making the film as beautiful to look at as it is emotionally engaging.

What Could Have Worked Better

A few emotional stretches in the latter half could have been slightly more concise.

The Verdict

Cocktail 2 is a beautifully crafted film about love, friendship, self discovery and the difficult choices that come with growing up. It doesn’t offer easy answers and that’s precisely what makes it work.

Produced by Maddock Films and Luv Films, backed by outstanding performances from Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna, thoughtful writing, gorgeous visuals and strong emotional payoffs, the film delivers a deeply satisfying experience.A heartfelt, visually stunning and emotionally resonant drama that reminds us that sometimes the hardest part of love isn’t finding it, it’s understanding what to do with it once you have it. The result is a relationship drama that stays with you long after the credits roll. Cocktail 2 (Movie Review): Shahid Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna & Kriti Sanon Shine in a Blockbuster, Iconic Tale of Love, Friendship and Commitment! | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com

Read More........ → September 06, 2026 Categories: Bollywood, Bollywood-Movies, Media, Movies, Review

Rao’s Action Thriller Maalik: Review, Storyline, and Cast & Crew

By Neeta Mishra: Rajkummar Rao’s action thriller Maalik has hit the theaters, and it looks to make a mark with its intense performances and explosive story.Pulkit directed Maalik that combines emotional rawness, heart-thumping action, and an exciting storyline with an underworld theme.Let’s check out the story of Maalik along with the early reviews words and the cast members who brought to life this drama…

Storyline

Maalik is an upcoming gangster drama film. The film tells the story of a man’s ambitious journey through the underworld, combining brutal action with relevant social topics. The shape of the film is energetic, exhilarating, and entertaining; Drama and adventure with high stakes will make for an insane movie experience.

X Review: What Fans Are Saying

Social media is alive with fan reactions. Many fans have praised Rajkummar Rao for diving deep into his role and offering one of the most riveting performances. One user posted on Twitter, #Maalik is a must-watch! Rajkummar Rao is on fire. The story grabs you and doesn’t let go. Solid acting, good background music, and fantastic direction.”Not all feedback is positive. Some audiences felt the first half wasn’t too quick, but viewers claimed the performances had them hooked.”The first half was not what I expected, but let’s see if the second half can save the film. Very solid performances, especially Raj and Manushi,” said another audience member.

Cast & Crew

Rao’s Action Thriller Maalik: Review, Storyline, and Cast & Crew

Read More........ → July 11, 2025 Categories: Bollywood-Movies, Movies, Review

Aamir Khan’s big screen comeback, Sitaare Zameen Par, features an all-star neurodivergent cast – a Bollywood first

Yanyan Hong, University of Adelaide

Bollywood star Aamir Khan’s return to the big screen after a three-year hiatus has been far from ordinary. Sitaare Zameen Par (2025) which translates to “stars on Earth”, is the first major Bollywood production to feature a mostly neurodivergent cast.

A remake of the 2018 Spanish film Campeones, the story follows a mouthy, knuckle-headed basketball coach, Gulshan (Aamir Khan), who is put in charge of a team of players with intellectual disabilities.

The film slowly grows into itself, much like its characters, but ultimately delivers what the trailer promises: a heartwarming, humorous and uplifting celebration of our individual differences.

In an era of blockbuster spectacles, Aamir Khan Productions brings back a kind of Bollywood storytelling we haven’t seen in a while – something sincere, gentle and quietly revolutionary.

Who is Aamir Khan?

Aamir Khan was born in Mumbai in 1965, and started his acting career as a child actor in his uncle’s film Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973).

Khan is now one of Bollywood’s most enduring and respected figures. He is one of the iconic “three Khans”, alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan (the three are unrelated), who have dominated Indian cinema since the 1990s.

But unlike his Khan counterparts, Aamir Khan has carved a unique career path built on both commercial success and socially-driven storytelling.

He is known for championing social causes through cinema. In one 2015 article, media studies professor Vamsee Juluri referred to him as a “national conscience figure”.

Khan’s films don’t just entertain; they challenge norms and often spark national conversations on important issues.

From producing Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001), India’s Oscar-nominated colonial-era sports epic, to his directorial debut Taare Zameen Par (2007), a moving portrait of a child with dyslexia, Khan’s work often brings underrepresented stories to the mainstream.

His film PK (2014) challenges religious dogma. Meanwhile, Dangal (2016) is a boundary-pushing film based on real-life female wrestlers from rural India, and is also Bollywood’s highest-grossing film of all time.

Beyond the box office, Khan has hosted the TV show Satyamev Jayate (2012–14), which is also the national emblem of India, meaning “truth alone triumphs”.

This show tackles various topics considered taboo in Indian societies, including female feticide, domestic violence and caste discrimination. It has reached millions of households, and even ignited parliamentary debates.

Khan is also popular in other countries, including China, where his films 3 Idiots (2009), Dangal (2016) and Secret Superstar (2017) were massive hits that resonated with audiences for their universal themes.

Sitaare Zameen Par marks his return following the commercial underperformance of Laal Singh Chaddha (2022), an Indian remake of Forrest Gump (1994).

Sitaare (stars) who make the film shine

Directed by R.S. Prasanna, Sitaare Zameen Par enjoyed a strong opening weekend at the box office.

It stars ten individuals with special needs as they prepare for a basketball tournament under the direction of their coach (Khan). This plot alone makes the film a significant entry to Indian cinema, which often ignores or misrepresents disability.

Despite early online trolling and negativity, the film depicts its neurodivergent characters not as victims, or “inspirations”, but simply as people with dreams, struggles and joy.

One line captures this beautifully: “Everyone sticks to their own normal. We each have our own normal.”

Aamir Khan, now 60, plays a key role in the film, but doesn’t dominate it. Instead, his younger co-stars shine. The result is a healing film that celebrates inclusion, while being full of joy and humanity.

Stories that matter

No film is perfect. But it’s hard to dislike a film made with so much compassion.

Bollywood as an industry has increasingly leaned into action-packed blockbusters, as well as nationalist and Hindu-centred narratives (such as in the 2022 film Brahmāstra).

While many of these offer thrills, few deliver the kind of emotional and social depth that once defined Hindi cinema’s global appeal. Much like Taare Zameen Par – a spiritual prequel to the new release – did 18 years ago, Sitaare Zameen Par invites the audience to slow down and reflect.

It prompts neurotypical viewers to see people with Down’s syndrome as part of the same emotional universe as them – and to laugh with, not at them.

In an interview, Khan explains how the film goes further than just neurodivergent representation, to participation:

In [Taare Zameen Par], it’s the teacher, Nikumbh, a supposedly neuro-typical person, who helps the child with dyslexia. In this film, ten neuro-atypical people are helping the coach, Gulshan. I feel Sitare takes the discourse of the first film ten steps ahead, especially in our country where people need to be sensitised to the topic of neurodivergence.

Last week, India’s president, Droupadi Murmu, attended a special screening and met the cast. The visit sent a clear messsage: stories like this matter.

With Sitaare Zameen Par, Aamir Khan returns to what he does best: using film as both a mirror and message for Indian society. While it won’t change the world overnight, it will make viewers see the world, and each other, a little differently.