When released in 2012, Cocktail had all the hype – be it its glitzy star cast including the likes of Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, and debutant Diana Penty or the banging soundtrack that gave us iconic party anthems! This Homi Adajania film turned out to be a box office success and earned critical acclaim for the performances of Khan and Padukone, however, what remains the most iconic aspect of the movie is its plot. It wasn’t like Bollywood hadn’t seen a love triangle at all – there were plenty already. However, with its urban and fresh take on modern relationships, Cocktail managed to become one of the most beloved movies of the 2010s.
Cocktail: Top Reasons To Watch This Friendship Drama
Realistic Portrayal Of Female Friendships
Yes, we agree that the writers did mess up on their part by not holding Gautam (Saif Ali Khan) accountable for his actions – and worry not, we’ll not spoil it for you. However, we must give credit where it is due – the movie does an amazing job at portraying modern female friendships. It’s rare to see a Bollywood movie nail the portrayal of female friendships, and Cocktail does a pretty commendable job without getting too preachy.
The friendship between Veronica and Meera begins on a very random night inside the washroom of a club. However, as Veronica realizes that Meera could use some help in a foreign country (the United Kingdom), she instantly jumps in to offer help. In fact, (spoiler alert), she asks Meera to move into her own apartment without expecting anything in return. The two eventually become close friends, exchanging deep conversations that you wouldn’t have seen two female characters in a typical Bollywood movie of that time. In a movie industry where female friendships are portrayed in the most caricature-ish, stereotypical way or not portrayed at all, Cocktail finds itself doing its job quite well!
The On-Point 2010s Fashion
The movie aces in a lot of departments, but when it comes to the costumes, it truly stands out from its contemporaries. The 2010s was an era of bold, unapologetic fashion that truly didn’t seem to care much. We’re talking about clothing and accessory trends like studded pumps, chunky wedges, and colorblocked bodycons! We can’t not talk about the hair trends like the controversial ‘puff’ hairdo, extra-voluminous hair, and fishtail braids. And of course, who can miss out on the Bohemian aesthetic of the 2010s that Cocktail nails!
These style elements have been perfectly integrated into the two female protagonists by Bollywood stylist Anaita Shroff Adajania. Known for her immaculate styling sense, Anaita makes sure that the two female characters don’t just shine, they steal the show simply through what they wear. After all, who doesn’t remember the iconic olive green party dress Veronica (Deepika) wore to the club or the coral pink jumper and off-white jacket Meera wore in the song Tum Hi Ho Bandhu? When it comes to capturing contemporary fashion trends in the sleekest way possible, we don’t think any movie even comes close to what Cocktail has achieved!
Stunning International Locations (With Interesting Trivia)
The movie takes us on a virtual trip to London, UK, and Cape Town, South Africa, that we didn’t know we needed! It has been shot in some of the most iconic locations in London – including its streets, clubs, and markets. For instance, one of the song sequences in the film was filmed at The Clapham Grand. For this sequence, Deepika Padukone had to dance on a table with 300 extras participating in the same. Security was tightened, and bouncers were deployed to ensure the safety of the actor and the rest of the crew.
Moreover, it has been shot at other iconic movie locations that you must visit when in London. This includes locations like Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square, and Borough Market, among others. The movie also takes you briefly to South Africa’s Cape Town – a serene coastal city with the cleanest white sand beaches, bustling beach parties, and breathtaking views of the ocean. Cocktail does an exceptional job at capturing these cities and locations in the most elegant and breathtaking manner possible – so much so that it pushes you to pack your bags and set out on that much-deserved cruise adventure in Cape Town!
A Memorable Female Character In The Form Of Veronica
The character of Veronica proved to be a turning point in Padukone’s career, as it earned her major accolades and established her as a bankable star. Veronica, on the surface, seems like the stereotypical party girl we’ve seen in Indian movies. The one who’s mannerless, carefree, bold, wears skimpy clothes, and does not care enough about her ‘values’ and ‘traditions’. However, Veronica breaks the mold by diverging from these stereotypes and offers a fresh, nuanced, and more grounded perspective to her character. She’s shown to value family traditions, going out of her way to help her friends when in need, and tries to hold herself together even when her world collapses.
A loyal friend, a fierce supporter, an enthusiastic aide, a hardcore party girl, but most importantly, Veronica is just a girl waiting to be loved. She has been written in the most nuanced ways possible, as the movie portrays her vulnerability, joy, angst, desperation, and a spectrum of emotions with much depth. It’s quite rare to see a fleshed-out female character dominating the screen, but Veronica proves to be an exception. Maybe her authenticity is what stayed with audiences, so much so that she is one of the most well-known Deepika Padukone characters in recent times, even in 2025.
Cocktail Hits It Out Of The Park With Its Music
2012 was when Yo Yo Honey Singh was all the rage – his raps and his music dominated charts and Cocktail certainly contains some of his music. The movie has an incredible soundtrack composed by iconic music composer Pritam, with the lyrics being penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya and Irshad Kamil. Cocktail gave us a lot of iconic, hum-worthy songs that are still played at house parties and club parties alike, depending on the occasion!
Be it the chartbuster Tum Hi Ho Bandhu or the suave Bollywood-esque Second Hand Jawaani, be it the melodious Daaru Desi or the certified banger Main Sharaabi, the soundtrack just does not have a single trashy song! Composer Pritam infuses techno-pop with Bollywood and Sufi music, and the result is a soundtrack that is as memorable as the movie itself!
Summing Up
Cocktail, with its impressive performances, commendable writing, and memorable soundtrack, is a movie that offers a poignant yet refreshing take on modern friendships. It isn’t the most perfect story out there on the topic, but it delivers its message effectively. It is the kind of movie that you’d watch not when you’re missing your friends, but when you’re with them. Cocktail is a perfectly imperfect cocktail of love, friendship, and everything in between – and we recommend that you watch (or rewatch) this Bollywood masterpiece!
