A frosty Cocktail in summer

Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone’s upcoming film generates buzz.

KARACHI:

This has been a turbulent year for Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan and why wouldn’t it be. After all, his most expensive project, both as an actor and producer, flopped at the box office in the form of Agent Vinod.

Even a killer dance number by his ravishing girlfriend Kareena Kapoor only managed to pull a handful of people to cinema houses. Khan, however, has gotten over the failure of his ‘Bond moment’ and is now looking forward to his latest project; Cocktail.

The film features Khan’s good luck charm Deepika Pudokone and a newcomer Diana Penty as the female leads while Boman Irani and Randeep Hooda will also be seen playing small roles. The film, which has been written by Imtiaz Ali of Love Aaj Kal fame and is being directed by Homi Adajanaia, is yet another home production by Khan. So far, Love Aaj Kal has been the only commercially successful venture by Khan’s production company, Illuminati films.

Cocktail is slated for a July release but an exciting trailer of the film, which has crossed one million viewers on YouTube, is already creating a buzz. The story revolves around three friends who face numerous problems when looking for relationships.

Previously, Imran Khan was signed on to play the lead role opposite Padukone but for reasons unknown, that decision was changed and Saif Ali Khan was cast as the hero instead.

As far as the music of the film is concerned, which ironically plays a major role in the commercial successes of films in India; it has been given by one of the most sought-after composers these days — Pritam. Recently, Pritam has given some very catchy numbers which include “Pyar Ki Pungi” (Agent Vinod) and “Pee Loon” (Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai) to name a few.

From Being Cyrus to Cocktail

However, the most intriguing thing about Cocktail is not the plot or the story; it is the director himself, Homi Adajania. His only previous feature film was a Saif Ali Khan and Boman Irani starrer, Being Cyrus, a dark comedy revolving around a Parsi family. No matter how critically acclaimed that film was and how brilliantly Khan and Irani acted, Being Cyrus was certainly not a commercial film and with such a director trying his hands at a typical love triangle one can only wonder what the outcome will be. If the film doesn’t collide with the arrival of Ramazan, it can be expected to be the first major hit of the summer. Only time can tell about its box office business but judging from the trailer and the cast associated with it, Cocktail is a must watch.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 26^th, 2012.