"On the whole, EK THA TIGER is a high-octane thriller that works big time"
Bollywood box office records were broken with Yash Raj’s Ek Tha Tiger, starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif.
The actor has proved fourth time in a row, after the blockbuster Bodyguard, that he is capable of making a respected mark in Bollywood; this time with the hit film, Ek Tha Tiger.
The movie is directed by Documentary, turned film director Kabir Khan, who made his mark with the smash hit New York, which starred John Abraham, Katrina Kaif and Neil Nitin Mukhesh. The film was set in a backdrop of terrorism, and the effect on Indians and Pakistanis during 9/11.
Yash Raj Films, have produced the movie, and this is Salman Khan’s first time working with the production house. Yash Raj Films have produced many classics such as Silsila, Mohobhatein, Dilwale Dunhiye Le Jayenge, the Dhoom franchise and many more. Salman Khan had many offers from the production house, however none of them appealed to him, until Ek Tha Tiger.
There was a lot of hype over the combination of Yash Raj films and Salman Khan, some of the audience did not feel that it would work, however all of the reservations were put aside, when the teaser trailer of the film was launched, and got over 4 million views, since the launch in May 2012.
Ek Tha Tiger is an action thriller, and falls into a similar category as Salman Khan’s previous successful ventures, Wanted, Dabangg, Ready and Bodyguard. All four of these films were blockbusters at the box office. Ek Tha Tiger marks Salman Khan’s and Katrina Kaif’s fourth outing sharing screen space together, they were last seen in Subbash Ghai’s flop film Yuvraaj.
The film has been written by Kabir Khan and producer/director Aditya Chopra and with suspense, comedy, romance, drama and diversity in the story, Ek Tha Tiger features all the combinations of a masala film.
Salman Khan, the 43 year old muscular actor, plays Manish in the film, an Indian government secret agent, codenamed Tiger. He is sent on a mission to find out the activities of a Trinity College scientist who is suspected of selling missile technology secrets to Pakistan. During his mission, Tiger falls in love with the professor’s caretaker Zoya (Katrina Kaif) who is studying at a fictional dance academy. Together the two go on a journey which takes them from Dublin to Istanbul then to Kazakhstan and Chile, to crack the case.
Salman Khan created the record of starring in the highest grossing film, eight years in a row during his career; this is a record which remains unbroken. Those films were Saajan which was in 1991, Hum Aapke Hai Kaun in 1994, Karan Arjun in 1995, Judwaa in 1997, Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya in 1997, Biwi No1 in 1999, and Hum Saath Saath Hain also in 1999.
Salman Khan has had a mixed career with super hits and super flops. Some of his remembered performances are from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai which again earned him a Filmfare Award, this time in the Best Supporting Actor Male category. Other notable performances are Tere Naam, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Partner, Wanted, No Entry, Dabbangg and Bodyguard.
Ek Tha Tiger released on the 15th August 2012 and it was announced that the film grossed in 32 Crore Rupees (£4 million) on its opening day, which is a new box office record. Director Kabir Khan tweeted: “16 Crores, Highest weekday figure EVER… & higher than most big films opening day.”
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh gave the film 4.5 stars out of 5 said: “On the whole, EK THA TIGER is a high-octane thriller that works big time. This is, without doubt, Salman’s best. Sure shot Blockbuster!”
It was announced on the 20th August 2012 that it has grossed in over 100 Crore Rupees in 5 days, which is a new record for Bollywood. After making the fastest Rs. 100 cr, the movie is continuing to grow takings and made over Rs. 210 crores in 12 days. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh stated on Twitter:
“#EkThaTiger India + Overseas combined biz *after 2nd Weekend* is Rs 210 cr +. ALL TIME BLOCKBUSTER.”
In the UK Film Chart the film has done very well, for the 24th-26th August weekend figures (according to Screendaily), Ek Tha Tiger was at number 12 in the chart grossing £1,165,214.
In the International Chart, Ek Tha Tiger made it to an amazing number 3 (below number 2 which is the Hollywood blockbuster Dark Knight Rises) since it’s release date and grossed $21,360,660 to date.
Despite the fact that Shahrukh Khan and Salman Khan are not on talking terms, Shahrukh commented that Salman-Katrina look wonderful together and wished them luck for their film. “I don’t know about the chemistry but it looks like a wonderful pair. I wish them all the luck,” said SRK during a TAG Heuer event.
The film has had some varied reviews, NDTV say: “Ek Tha Tiger isn’t what one whould rate as great cinema, but it isn’t just harmless fun. The pacifist message dovetailed into its core lends the film a far greater degree of relevance than Bollywood spy thrillers generally strive for.”
Ek Tha Tiger ran into controversy with the Pakistani Censor Board because they felt the film portrayed Pakistanis in a bad manner. The Censor Board were shown the film after their decision, and then decided the ban the film from release. This decision is sure to increase the amount of piracy for the movie. Taran Adarsh tweeted “#EkThaTiger no release in Pakistan on Eid means loss of minimum 10 to 12 crores.
So, there we have it Salman Khan strikes again pairing up with the lovely Katrina Kaif, giving Yash Raj Films a super-duper hit. The question now is, what will Salman Khan have in store for us next?
What did you think of Ek Tha Tiger?
- Mind Blowing (66%)
- Time Pass (28%)
- It was Okay (6%)
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