Romance Roars Back?: Cocktail 2 Crosses ₹10 Cr on Day 1, Beats Original’s Opening but Faces Big Test Ahead

Bollywood’s struggling romance genre may finally have a glimmer of hope. Cocktail 2, starring Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, and Rashmika Mandanna, has delivered a strong opening at the box office, crossing the ₹10 crore mark on its very first day despite receiving mixed reviews.

Directed by Homi Adajania, the romantic drama released across more than 3000 screens in India, indicating a wide and confident rollout. By 9 PM on Day 1, early trade estimates suggest the film had already earned ₹10.86 crore net in India—a promising start, especially for a genre that has struggled to pull audiences to theatres in recent years.

A Promising Opening Amid Tough Times for Romance

The success of romantic films has been inconsistent post-pandemic, with audiences leaning more towards action and spectacle-driven cinema. In that context, “Cocktail 2’s double-digit opening is being seen as a positive signal for the genre,” industry observers note.

Adding to its strong start was solid advance booking performance. According to trade tracker Sacnilk, the film sold over 1.6 lakh tickets in advance, generating approximately ₹5.57 crore gross. Including spot bookings and blocked seats, this figure surged past ₹8 crore—helping the film comfortably cross the ₹10 crore net mark on Day 1.

Star Power & Franchise Recall Work Their Magic

One of the biggest factors behind the film’s opening is the combined star appeal of Shahid Kapoor, Rashmika Mandanna, and Kriti Sanon, along with the nostalgic pull of the original Cocktail.

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The 2012 hit, written by Imtiaz Ali and directed by Homi Adajania, starred Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, and Diana Penty. It had opened at ₹10.47 crore—slightly lower than the sequel’s Day 1 earnings.

However, trade analysts point out an important caveat. “When adjusted for inflation and ticket pricing, Cocktail 2 would need to earn nearly ₹18–19 crore to truly surpass the original’s opening impact,” making its journey ahead more challenging.

Mixed Reviews, Big Weekend Test Ahead

While the opening numbers are encouraging, the film’s long-term success will depend heavily on word-of-mouth. Critics and a section of the audience have given the film mixed reactions, which could influence its weekend performance.

That said, occupancy levels reportedly improved steadily throughout Day 1, giving makers hope that the film could witness growth over the weekend.

About the Film

Cocktail 2 is a spiritual sequel rather than a direct continuation of the 2012 film. It introduces a fresh story and characters while retaining the core theme of modern relationships and emotional conflict.

“With a strong start already in place, all eyes are now on whether Cocktail 2 can sustain momentum and revive Bollywood’s romance wave,” industry watchers say.