Resurfaced: When Deepika Padukone Called Women Making a Pass at Her the “Bigger Compliment”

Following the theatrical release of Cocktail 2, a spiritual sequel to Homi Adajania’s 2012 romantic hit Cocktail, a popular throwback interview of Deepika Padukone has resurfaced on social media.

During the promotional campaign for the original film 14 years ago, Deepika was asked how she would react if a woman ever showed romantic interest or made a pass at her. Speaking to Bollywood Hungama, the actress responded candidly, noting that she welcomes it with open arms:

“It’s a bigger compliment when women make a pass at me.”

Veronica: The Role That Changed Everything

The interview has found fresh traction because Cocktail remains an absolute turning point in Deepika Padukone’s filmography.

Before 2012, she was largely seen as a traditional Bollywood leading lady. Stepping into the shoes of Veronica—a fiercely independent, deeply flawed, emotionally turbulent, and wild party girl—shattered that mold. Her performance received immense critical acclaim and proved her versatility as an actor who wasn’t afraid of complex, unconventional female characters.

The Buzz Around Cocktail 2

The old interview resurfaced just as the spiritual sequel, Cocktail 2, debuted in cinemas on June 19, 2026. The new film is also directed by Homi Adajania, though it transitions to a completely fresh storyline with a new cast featuring Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, and Rashmika Mandanna.

The film has generated a massive wave of internet conversation due to pre-release speculation and its certification:

• The “Threesome” Rumours: Ahead of the release, rumours heavily circulated that Kriti Sanon and Rashmika Mandanna’s characters were involved in a lesbian romance, or that the film focused on physical polygamy. The cast explicitly shut down these claims, with Kriti stating, “We are three straight people, guys. It’s only an emotional threesome, not physical.”

• Adult Certification Confusion: Lead actor Shahid Kapoor publicly questioned the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) after the movie received an ‘A’ rating. Kapoor expressed confusion to his fans, reassuring them that the relationship-driven drama features nothing objectionable and is entirely suitable to be watched with families.

Box Office Report: Strong Opening for the Sequel

Despite mixed reviews from critics regarding how it handles modern relationship dynamics, Cocktail 2 has scored big at the box office, driven by franchise nostalgia and star power.

The film recorded peak theater occupancies during night shows (touching 37.62%), with major metropolitan hubs like Mumbai and Delhi-NCR driving the highest footfalls despite competing against other recent releases like Varun Dhawan’s Hai Jawaani Toh Ishq Hona Hai and Imtiaz Ali’s Main Vaapas Aaunga.