Just saw Cocktail 2. The film has its flaws, but what shines the most is Kriti Sanon, who takes things to another level with this performance. Her screen presence alone elevates the film several notches. Her swag, charisma, and confidence make it a decent watch even when the script falters.
The story begins in India, where two childhood friends turned lovers, Shahid and Rashmika, are in a live-in relationship. To spice things up, they travel to Italy, where Rashmika reunites with her friend Kriti after ten years. Feeling that Shahid may be growing bored of her, Rashmika secretly asks Kriti to seduce him as a test of his love and loyalty.
The first half of Cocktail 2 is a breezy and entertaining ride. The romance between Shahid and Rashmika is sweet, although the scenes where Rashmika imagines Shahid cheating on her feel completely out of place. The film truly gains momentum with the arrival of Kriti, who is presented like a diva. Such is her aura that it's impossible to take your eyes off her. The chemistry between Shahid and Kriti is off the charts—they look made for each other. The interval point is a major highlight, and you genuinely feel sorry for Kriti. The first half ends on an emotional note and leaves you wanting more.
Unfortunately, the second half is a bit of a letdown. The story becomes quite unbelievable at times. Rashmika continuing to entertain Kriti despite her openly confessing her love for Shahid feels absolutely bizarre. The film also feels stretched, with several lengthy scenes and dialogues that could have been trimmed. However, the climax is decent and ends the film on a positive note.
Kriti Sanon is on fire here. She was born to play this part and emerges as the film's biggest winner. This performance has the potential to take her career to the next level and should be talked about for years to come. Shahid Kapoor is extremely likeable and delivers a solid performance. Rashmika, however, gets a raw deal. She virtually disappears for large portions of the film, and her diction occasionally weakens her performance.
Overall, Cocktail 2 is a watchable film that could have benefited from a crisper and sharper second half. Despite its shortcomings, it is worth watching for Kriti Sanon, who is truly in her full glory here.
Rating: 2.75/5
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