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Cocktail was released in 2012 and went on to become one of the biggest romantic films made in Bollywood, and catapulted the careers of the actors. The movie was directed by Homi Adajania and produced by Illuminati Films of Saif Ali Khan, who starred in the film along with Deepika Padukone and Diana Penty. But Gautam didn’t want to pick Saif first. This is a list of actors who were considered, or rejected, for the role before him.
Imran Khan
The initial selection of Imran Khan was to play Gautam with Deepika Padukone for Cocktail, and he was set for that. A number of reports say that he stepped down because of creative differences. Later, Saif Ali Khan confirmed that among the actors who refused to take part in the film was Imran.
Ranbir Kapoor
In a 2026 interview with Variety India, Saif Ali Khan also revealed that Ranbir Kapoor was contacted for this movie. Ranbir went on to say that he underestimated the script and even doubted the choice of Deepika Padukone to do the movie, only for it to be one of her career-defining performances.
Saif Ali Khan Took Over the Role
Other actors turned down the film, and Saif Ali Khan took up the role of Gautam and also produced the film under Illuminati Films. Cocktail became the top grosser in Hindi cinema in 2012 and grossed over ₹125 crore globally, and was directed by Homi Adajania.
Deepika Padukone’s Veronica Became Iconic
The lead role also was changed along the way, but Deepika Padukone was sticking around. For her role as Veronica, she won popularity all over Bollywood and is considered one of the best performances that made her one of the best Bollywood actresses.
Diana Penty Made Her Acting Debut
Diana Penty made her big-screen debut in the film Cocktail. Her portrayal of Meera received positive reviews, and her chemistry with the three lead actors was a major factor in the success of the movie.
Homi Adajania Directed the Film
Director Homi Adajania got Saif Ali Khan together again with his Being Cyrus, this time in a different movie. Cocktail is a blend of romance, friendship, and drama, written by Imtiaz Ali and Sajid Ali, captivating the audience.
The Film Became a Box Office Success
Cocktail hit the theatres on 13th July 2012 and made a decent box office performance and became one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of the year, according to Box Office India. It also earned multiple nominations for awards, as well as enhanced the careers of its stars.
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