Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, and Diana Penty's 2012 romantic comedy ‘Cocktail’ is getting a sequel, albeit with an all-new cast. PeepingMoon.com has exclusively learned that ‘Cocktail 2’ is in the works at Maddock Films, with Shahid Kapoor set to play the lead role. Shahid has not yet signed on the dotted line, but has reportedly verbally committed to this film, which would mark his second collaboration with the banner following this year's ‘Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya’. Homi Adajania, who directed the 2012 film, will return to helm the sequel, scheduled to begin production in mid-2025.

“Dinesh Vijan and Homi Adajania have been toying with the idea of a ‘Cocktail’ sequel for years, and they've now crafted a storyline that they believe matches the magic of the first film. Although ‘Cocktail 2’ features a completely new narrative, its tone and vibrant setting reminisce about the original, thus being labeled a sequel. Shahid loved the story and is already on board, while discussions with several leading young actresses are in progress,” "a source close to the development informed us. 

‘Cocktail 2’ is being described as an urban rom-com that explores the complicated web of love and friendship, much like the 2012 movie that depicted the lives of three free-spirited individuals entangled in a love triangle, with Saif Ali Khan as a charming flirt, Deepika Padukone as a wild and lively character, and Diana Penty as a shy and simple traditional girl. Randeep Hooda, Dimple Kapadia, and Boman Irani also featured in pivotal roles in this commercially successful slice-of-life romance. 

The ‘Cocktail’ sequel marks the second instance of a Saif Ali Khan-Deepika Padukone film getting a “new wine in an old bottle” treatment. Dinesh Vijan previously attempted a 2.0 version of ‘Love Aaj Kal’ four years back with Kartik Aaryan and Sara Ali Khan, but that film was a massive failure from all angles. With ‘Cocktail 2’, the producer is determined to avoid past mistakes and make an entertaining love story that strikes a chord with today's young audiences, even though it’s an entirely fresh script with no similarity whatsoever. 

Shahid Kapoor is expected to shoot for this Maddock Films production after completing Vishal Bhardwaj's action thriller, which goes into production in December. The ‘Kabir Singh’ actor is set to play a gangster modeled on Hussain Ustara, the don who had a fierce rivalry with Dawood Ibrahim, while ‘Animal’ actress Triptii Dimri plays the leading lady in this Sajid Nadiadwala production. Shahid also has Rosshan Andrrews’s cop thriller ‘Deva’, lined up for release in cinemas on Valentine's Day 2025.