Movie Review: ‘Cocktail’ (*** Three Star)

( By Akshat Sharma) This week’s Bollywood release ‘Cocktail’ is a film which is distinct in many ways. It looks fresh, it looks urban and even unconventional in some ways.  The story revolves around three individuals who come together and share things between them. In natural progression things complicate and the movie is no exception.

Director Homi Adajania’s first movie ‘Being Cyrus’ was well received both by the audience and the critics. It was called off-beat by critics but ‘Cockltail’ is very much a mainstream Bollywood flick. Ably supported by actors like Deepika Padukone, Saif Ali Khan and Diana Penty, Homi has managed to deliver a good entertaining movie.

Opening in London the movie introduces Meera (Diana Penty), who is looking for her missing husband Rahul (Randeep Hooda). Rahul is a selfish guy who uses and abuses beautiful Diana. Taking away all her valuables he leaves her alone on the streets of London.  Enter Veronica ( Deepika Padukone)  who lives her life on her own terms. When she finds Meera she takes her in her wings without a second thought.

Elusive Gautam (Saif)  is a student of creepy seduction but then in Bollywood movies even cheesy pick up lines could get you hitched. He meets Meera and Veronica and become such a good friend that they all start living together. Veronica and Gautam hook up with each other but Meera also harbours emotions for Gautam. Lucky Bast**d!

It was in South Africa where this confusion gives way to complication and then begins the drama. All three protagonists try to figure out what is going on. This roller coaster is typical Bollywood fare but the director has given a fresh treatment to it.

Deepika Padukone has delivered an outstanding performance in her role of Veronica.  Her role of a fun loving girl who is sensitive deep down in her heart is well written and Deepika has done justice to the role.

Diana Penty looks stunning on screen but she lacks confidence and skills of an actor. She needs to work hard in acting department if she wants to make it big in Tinsel Town. Saif has done his bits but it seems he is repeating himself. It is time he comes out of his ‘ Urban lover boy mould’. His onscreen chemistry with Deepika works in his favour.

Music of the movie is composed by Pritam. Almost all numbers are peppy and picturised tastefully by the director. Songs like ‘Second Hand Jawani’ and ‘Tumhi Ho Bandhu’ deserves special mention as they catch the imagination of the audience.

So this weekend if you looking for fun filled three hours of entertainment then ‘Cocktail’ should be given a shot.