Director: Homi Adajania
Starring: Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone and Dimple Kapadia
‘A Captivating Classic’
Few actors in Bollywood are as beloved as Saif Ali Khan. Ever since his rise to stardom during the 1990’s, Khan has become one of the finest actors in the Indian film industry. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, dangerous gangsters or sacred police inspectors, Khan has proven that he can portray compelling characters in Indian films. Arguably, Khan’s strength as an actor is his versatility. He is one of those rare actors that has proven he can portray a wide range of characters in various genres. Through his versatility, Khan has created timeless movies in his career which Indian audiences value. A bright light shining in darkness, he has become an icon in the Indian film business whose films have always given audiences the emotions of happiness. A legendary figure in India, Khan has become an icon in Bollywood Cinema. Throughout his long-lasting career, Khan has produced several unforgettable films that are worth watching.
I’m a huge fan of Khan and adore all movies which he has made in his career. However, “Cocktail” definitely stands out as being his most underrated movie. Released in 2012, Homi Adajania’s movie offered a powerful portrait of romantic friendships. Packed with breathtaking musical sequences, engaging storytelling and extraordinary acting, it’s a captivating Bollywood romantic drama. At the centre of it all is a terrific performance by Saif Ali Khan, who embodies a bachelor seeking relationships. Although “Cocktail” is a captivating romantic drama, ultimately it isn’t a flawless film. It builds to a predictable ending without a satisfying resolution. That being said, it offers bold entertainment that will absolutely without a doubt satisfy fans of Saif Ali Khan.
“Cocktail” tells the tale of friends which turn into lovers in relationships that are destined to fail. Saif Ali Khan plays Gautam Kapoor, a charismatic bachelor in search for romantic relationship. When he develops a friendship with a close companion Veronica (Deepika Padukone), Gautam’s dreams materialize in reality. However, Gautam’s life dramatically changes when he falls in love with another woman that’s a lover. Meera Sahni (Diana Petty) is an attractive woman that has big dreams of her own. Faced with a dilemma, Gautam wonders whether he will ever find true love outside India. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Gautam is soon forced to wonder whether it’s possible for him to find a lover.
Homi Adajania is fascinated with the theme of identity. A fantastic filmmaker, Adajania has often made engaging movies about the lives of lovers whose relationships are in a state of danger. His acclaimed film “Being Cyrus” offered a powerful portrait of a man torn apart by families which are dangerous. With “Cocktail”, however, Adajania made his first romantic drama. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture hardships faced by lovers by he succeeded. Using captivating cinematography, Adajania captures the life of a bachelor seeking romantic relationship. Inspired with Roger Donaldson’s “Cocktail”, Adajania expertly uses montages to convey hardships faced by friends in relationships that fail. For instance, montages enhance the bonding scene. During this memorable scene, Gautam develops a strong bond with Veronica as they spend time together. Using montages, Adajania constructs a portrait of romance that’s engaging. Montages are not easy techniques to use in movies. As Karan Johar’s “Kal Ho Na Ho” claimed, montages enhance Bollywood movies about terminal illness. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Adajania captures the tensions that friends in broken relationships are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Cocktail” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood romantic dramas you will watch. Adajania effectively uses cross-cutting to create music sequences that are engaging. For instance, cross-cutting enhances the “Tumhi Ho Bandhu” song. During this bold musical sequence, Gautam spends valuable time with Veronica showcasing their strong relationships together. Using cross-cutting, Adajania crafts a portrait of friendship that is compelling. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the movie an engaging atmosphere capturing a heavy burden that friends bear. Using captivating production, Adajania captives the lives of friends facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Cocktail” is a Bollywood romantic drama that is engaging. The film is extremely well-written, and effectively uses monologues to capture romantic tensions friends are often facing. For instance, monologues enhance the love confession scene. During this bold scene, Gautam delivers a monologue which showcases romantic feelings for Veronica. Through engaging monologues, Adajania creates a portrait of friendship audiences can relate to. Monologues are tricky to use in Bollywood movies. As Farhan Akhtar’s “Dil Chahta Hai” suggested, monologues enhance Bollywood films about friendship. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through an excellent screenplay, Adajania captures friends that face a painful price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Saif Ali Khan delivers one of his best career performances as Gautam. Khan achieved appreciation for playing romantic heroes in classic Bollywood movies. With “Cocktail”, however, Khan took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray an Indian man that falls in love with a close companion in relationships chasing tension, but he pulls it off successfully. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, serious and vulnerable in his most memorable role. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and grief faced by an Indian bachelor. It’s a powerful performance from one of the greatest actors that’s working in India today.
While the movie is mainly a bold showcase for Khan, the supporting cast is also great and worthy of praise. Deepika Padukone is dazzling, bringing charisma to a woman that falls in love with a bachelor causing a dilemma. Diana Petty is powerful, bringing a sense of authority to a woman that seeks a marriage causing adversity. Lastly, Boman Irani merits appreciation. As a bar manager, he brings comical relief to the movie.
Despite its strong performances, however, “Cocktail” can’t quite capture grim realities of relationships that fail. If there’s a minor shortcoming to the movie, it lacks a strong ending. It’s a predictable conclusion which fails to bring the film to a satisfying closure. Whereas this ending enhanced Kunal Kohli’s “Hum Tum”, it clashes with the tone of this movie. At worst, it perpetuates stereotypes about romance which aren’t true to reality. Therefore, “Cocktail” is one of those Indian romantic dramas which not everyone would adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Saif Ali Khan would absolutely enjoy “Cocktail” and so would audiences seeking heartfelt entertainment. A captivating Bollywood romantic drama, it honours an actor that’s beloved in India.
Nearly 15 years following the release of a beloved Bollywood movie about a bachelor whose friendships face tragedy, it’s a bold reminder of an Indian actor that has built a lasting legacy through his abilities to play compelling characters in memorable films throughout an illustrious career audiences love dearly.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 