The trailer launch of 'Cocktail 2' in Mumbai on Tuesday descended into chaos, with electronic media personnel reportedly boycotting the event after being sidelined in favour of social media influencers. The mismanagement, attendees said, stemmed from seating priority given to influencers, a cramped venue, and a faulty sound system that made it difficult to follow the stage proceedings.

What went wrong at the venue

According to reports from the event, the space was visibly overcrowded, leaving several attendees uncomfortable. Mediapersons struggled to see or hear the cast on stage, and the electronic media contingent walked out after they were unable to access the event feed required for broadcast. The poor audio setup further compounded the disruption.

About the film and its cast

The trailer, unveiled the same day, frames the film as a modern-day emotional rollercoaster set against a dreamy summer backdrop. 'Cocktail 2' stars Kriti Sanon, Shahid Kapoor, and Rashmika Mandanna, and serves as the sequel to the 2012 hit 'Cocktail', with a fresh ensemble taking over from the original cast.

Written by Luv Ranjan and Tarun Jain, the sequel aims to extend the franchise's legacy with a contemporary narrative pitched at today's audience.

What the cast said

Speaking about her role, Kriti Sanon said, “What I love about Cocktail 2 is that it feels stylish & visually refreshing, but also very relatable & modern. The relationships are messy, warm, and real in their own way. The characters are beautifully flawed, & the film is a toast to friendship & love from today's lens. And honestly, the music just takes everything to another level.”

Rashmika Mandanna added, “For me, 'Cocktail 2' feels like a beautiful mix of love, friendship and all the emotions that come with figuring life out. The trailer really captures the warmth and fun spirit of Diya, Ally and Kunal. Make it a movie outing with friends, partners, and family and catch the experience on the big screen.”

Release and production

Produced by Dinesh Vijan, Luv Ranjan, and Ankur Garg, and directed by Homi Adajania, 'Cocktail 2' is slated for a theatrical release on 19 June. The trailer's reception will be closely watched in the run-up, even as the launch-day controversy threatens to overshadow early buzz.

A wider debate on influencer-led PR

The boycott has reignited a long-simmering debate in Bollywood's promotional circuit — the growing tilt towards influencer-first event design at the cost of traditional media access. Notably, this is not the first Hindi film launch this year where reporters have flagged similar grievances, pointing to a structural shift in how studios are choosing to amplify releases.