‘Cocktail 2’ OTT release sparks debate and garners mixed reviews; netizens call Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna starrer a ‘rage bait’

Kriti Sanon, Shahid Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna’s Cocktail 2 has now released on digital platforms and that is giving the film a fresh round of attention nearly two months after its theatrical release. Directed by Homi Adajania, the spiritual sequel to the 2012 hit opened to mixed reactions in cinemas but has once again become a talking point online following its OTT premiere.The film, which explores trust, relationships and a complicated love triangle, has divided viewers. While several aspects of the movie have come under scrutiny, its storyline has particularly drawn criticism from audiences who have described the premise as “nonsensical”. Rashmika’s dialogue delivery, Kriti’s glamorous appearance and Shahid’s climactic monologue have also become subjects of discussion across social media.‘Cocktail 2’ follows Kunal (Shahid Kapoor) and Diya (Rashmika Mandanna), childhood sweethearts who live together while dealing with constant questions about when they will get married. Their relationship takes an unexpected turn when Diya begins to struggle with trust issues.The couple eventually travels to Sicily, where they cross paths with Diya’s university friend Ally (Kriti Sanon). Diya decides to put Kunal’s love and loyalty to the test, leading the two women to devise a plan to see whether he can resist temptation. However, their plan backfires when Ally develops genuine feelings for Kunal, setting off a messy chain of events.As viewers dissected the film, many argued that Diya’s actions effectively make her the antagonist of the story. Shahid’s seemingly flawless character has also faced criticism, while Kriti’s character, known as ‘Mashooqa’, appears to have received comparatively warmer reactions.Sharing their thoughts on X, one viewer wrote, “Who else thinks that ending wasn’t fair Kriti should have ended up with Shahid? Some people just aren’t replaceable. They become a part of your soul. not just your story. Is it just me, or you guys feel the same?”Another viewer criticised the film’s overall execution, writing, “Cocktail 2 whole movie is dimag ki khichdi with very unfavourite sabji. Only the last 15 mins with Shahid’s message feel sensible.”The criticism was even more blunt from another netizen, who wrote, “Cocktail 2 is the worst thing I’ve seen this year omg,” while another post described the film as “Cocktail 2 is just straight-up rage bait.”‘Cocktail 2’ hit theatres on June 19, 2026. Despite receiving mixed reviews, the film reportedly earned Rs 143.6 crore at the box office. Its Netflix release has now brought the movie back into the spotlight, with viewers revisiting its characters, ending and central love triangle. The film is now available to watch on Netflix.