Some films age like fine wine; others, like a cocktail left out too long, are sweet, sour and a little hard to swallow.
Almost a decade and a half later, Cocktail (2012) is back in theatres, stirring up nostalgia with its catchy tunes and memorable characters. But as the crowd settles in for a revisit, there’s a lingering aftertaste – something a little sour beneath the glitter.
What seemed like a fun, modern rom-com back then now stands glaringly problematic under the lens of evolving social values and gender awareness. Let’s unpack why Cocktail remains a cautionary tale wrapped in glossy packaging and why it serves up red flags even to today’s viewers.
The ‘Party Girl’ Stereotype
At the heart of Cocktail is Veronica, played with undeniable charisma by Deepika Padukone. On the surface, Veronica is the quintessential modern woman: independent, unapologetically fun-loving and living life on her own terms.
Yet, the film quickly reduces her to a trope – the “party girl” who drinks, hooks up and flaunts societal norms. Instead of celebrating her complexity, the narrative punishes her lifestyle, positioning her as emotionally unstable, unworthy of lasting love and ultimately ‘rehabilitated’ only after she conforms to traditional expectations.
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