Ek Tha Tiger
Ek Tha Tiger is a 2012 Indian Hindi-language romantic action thriller film directed and co-written by Kabir Khan, and produced by Aditya Chopra. It is the first film in the Tiger franchise, and contains an ensemble cast, which stars Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, and features Ranvir Shorey, Girish Karnad, Roshan Seth, and Gavie Chahal.
The film follows Tiger, an Indian spy tasked with recovering information before it is gained by Pakistan, but is sidetracked after falling in love with a Pakistani agent during the mission.
Ek Tha Tiger marks the third collaboration between Kabir Khan and Yash Raj Films, after he previously directed Kabul Express and New York. The film's production was extensive; the script underwent several re-writes, and production was delayed for a number of years prior to commencing in 2011. Ek Tha Tiger was filmed primarily in India, as well as several in other locations in Turkey, Ireland, and Cuba, and was initially scheduled for release in June 2012, before being released worldwide on August 15, 2012.
The film received generally mixed to positive reviews, with praise for its action, music, and performances of its leads, while there was criticism for its inconsistent tone. It set numerous box-office records during its theatrical run. With over 320 crore in revenue worldwide, it became the highest-grossing Indian film of 2012, and is the 25th highest-grossing Indian film of all time, unadjusted for inflation. It also set the record for highest-grossing domestic opening with 33.5 crore, a record it held for three years. The film received six People's Choice Award nominations, and won five.
A sequel titled Tiger Zinda Hai, was released on 22 December 2017.
Plot
An agent codenamed "Tiger" India's top spy and an officer of the Research and Analysis Wing is conducting a mission in Northern Iraq. Tiger is forced to kill one of his own men who has defected to Pakistan's spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence. He subsequently kills many ISI agents in his escape from Iraq, returns to India and reports to his boss, Shenoy, in New Delhi.Tiger is later sent on a mission to Dublin to observe a scientist of Indian origin, Professor Anwar Kidwai, who teaches at Trinity College and is suspected of sharing his findings with the Pakistan defence establishment. Fellow RAW agent Gopi accompanies Tiger on this mission.
Tiger meets Kidwai but fails to spend enough time for his observance and instead begins to spend time with the scientist's caretaker Zoya, who is studying at a local dance academy. He tries to befriend Zoya to extract information, but begins to grow closer to her. Tiger is attacked and robbed at his residence, and immediately suspects he has been found by an ISI agent.
Despite several warnings from Gopi to not let any personal feelings get in the way of the mission, Tiger falls in love with Zoya. Tiger asks Zoya out on a date, and there they both came to know about their feelings for each other. However, during a visit to the dance academy, Tiger discovers that Zoya is an ISI agent, and was tasked on the same mission as Tiger. She refuses to commit treason, but instead of killing Zoya, Tiger lets her go.
Some time later, Tiger and Zoya meet again at a UN Foreign Minister's Meeting in Istanbul. They subsequently decide to go on the run together, escaping to Havana, but having told their agencies that they would travel to Kazakhstan, to arrest one another. Some time later, their agencies trace Zoya and Tiger after they foil an attempted robbery, and the ISI agents apprehend Zoya. Tiger then meets Gopi, and tells him he has convinced Zoya to return to India and cooperate with RAW, but requires Gopi to help save Zoya from the ISI agents. The pair then trick Gopi, and escape aboard a secret plane.
Some time later, Tiger calls Shenoy, and says they will only return when Pakistan and India no longer need ISI and RAW. In the epilogue, several sightings of Tiger and Zoya in cities including Venice, Cape Town, Zurich and London are reported, but neither agency have been able to catch them. what happens next is shown in next part of movie named Tiger Zinda Hai.
Cast
- Salman Khan as Avinash Singh "Tiger" Rathore
- Katrina Kaif as Zoya "Zee" Humaimi
- Ranvir Shorey as Gopi Arya
- Girish Karnad as Shenoy
- Roshan Seth as Anwar Kidwai
- Gavie Chahal as Abrar
Production
Casting
Initially, Kabir Khan was announced to be the director, and after finalising the story, approached Shah Rukh Khan with a draft of the script. Although interested, Khan could not star in the film due to scheduling conflicts. This allowed the film's script, which had been completed in November 2010, to undergo changes until February 2012. In May 2011, a number of reports confirmed Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif would star in a film titled Ek tha Tiger. It would be Khan's first venture with Yash Raj Films, and the pair's fourth together, after Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?, Partner, and Yuvvraaj. In order to begin filming, Khan postponed the development of Sher Khan, a project he begun with his brother, Sohail Khan, while he was paid a reported 32 crore to star in Ek tha Tiger. Kaif, who only appeared in one action film prior to Ek tha Tiger, performed her own stunts.The rest of the cast was finalized over the following year; Ranvir Shorey signed on in April 2012, while the film marks the Bollywood debut of Gavie Chahal, who previously appeared in Punjabi films. On May 3, 2012, a photograph shoot was held with the cast. Later,
Filming
Initial reports said that principal photography would start by 5 July 2011, but Yash Raj Films' spokesperson Rafiq Gangjee said that the film had been delayed because of production requirements. The first scheduled shooting began on 10 August in Dublin. After a postponement when Khan went to the US for surgery for Trigeminal neuralgia, shooting resumed on 10 September 2011. Filming took place at Dublin's Trinity College. Stunt directors of The Bourne Identity were hired for the action sequences. Some action sequences were also shot in the city. During filming in Dublin, the Irish film crew held a demonstration about filming conditions and payment, which halted the shooting temporarily. The second round on filming took place in Istanbul and lasted two months. In February 2012, the film's cast and crew went to Havana to shoot for a month. There, Khan shot a cameo scene for a local tourism company. The sets used in the film were featured in the advertisement. Problems with the script caused the postponement of the film's planned shoot in Hong Kong. Afterwards, a three-day filming schedule was completed in Delhi. Filming ended in June 2012 after the last schedule was shot in Bangkok. Khan had to undergo a fitness program titled 'Dirty Running' over 30 days for his action sequences. Kaif played her role without makeup.Marketing
The first-look poster was released in August 2011, and the first teaser was released on 10 May 2012 along with the film Ishaqzaade. The theatrical trailer received more than 1 million views within 2 days of its release, making it the most-viewed trailer for a Bollywood film. Promotional tours visited New Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Lucknow. The makers secured a marketing deal with soft drink company Thumbs up and engaged in a consumer promotion in New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Kanpur, Allahabad, Agra, Meerut and Ghaziabad.As part of the promotion, a series of comic books based on the film, and also using characters from the film Hum Tum, were launched in July 2012 and continued until the Diwali festival. The first book was titled 'Ek Tha Tiger – Mahasagar Ki Suraksha'. Post release, the comics failed to generate a positive word-of-mouth. Joginder Tuteja of Bollywood Hungama commended the comics' design but said that the main story failed to meet his expectations of a deeper plot, exciting narrative and a tighter script.
Release
Ek Tha Tiger was released worldwide on 15 August 2012Indian Independence day. It was screened in 3300 screens nationally, which at that time was the most ever for a Bollywood film until Dabangg 2 was released in 3700 screens. Ek Tha Tiger was released in 550 screens overseas. Around 60 percent of the first weekend's sales had been booked in advance before the release. Some multiplexes increased their ticket prices for the film. Ek Tha Tiger was not released in Pakistana major market for Bollywood filmsbecause the Pakistani censors decided that it shows the country in negative light. Director Kabir Khan had earlier said that it was not an anti-Pakistan film. After its worldwide success, the film was released in Japan on 7 March 2013 by Japan's Nikkatsu Corporation, with a grand premiere in Tokyo. 30 prints were released in Japan, which will increase to 70, making it the widest Japanese release for a Hindi film.Critical reception
India
Ek Tha Tiger received mixed reviews from Indian critics. Anupama Chopra of Hindustan Times gave the film 3 out of 5 stars and said, "It’s such a pleasure to see a Hindi film heroine not playing a damsel in distress. The action, choreographed by Markos Rounthwaite and Conrad E Palmisano, is spectacular." Rajeev Masand of CNN-IBN gave the film 2.5 stars out of 5, and wrote, "despite its obvious flaws, 'Ek Tha Tiger' is extremely far from unwatchable. At best, it's a good, satisfying watch. Just don't go in with very high expectations." Jahanavi Samant of Mid Day gave the film 3 stars out of 5 and said, "Ek Tha Tiger is unable to decide whether it is a spy action film or a love saga."Overseas
Outside India, the film received a positive to mixed reception. Ronnie Scheib of Variety wrote, "Kaif displays some impressive moves in her action-heroine debut, while Salman Khan's thinking-on-his-feet immediacy adds depth to his usual macho muscle. Local audiences will no doubt derive a special thrill from the onscreen reunion of stars Khan and Kaif, once an offscreen item. Slickly produced 'Tiger' profits greatly from Aseem Mishra's gorgeous location lensing." Tuhin of Gulf News said, "The camerawork is outright bad, with the body doubles' faces very visible during the action scenes. Kaif, who has tried her hand at the stunts, is, however, fairly convincing. Though the pace could have been faster, it is a delight to watch Khan and Kaif together, resulting in a great Eid offering for Salman Khan's fans". The New York Times gave a mixed review, praising the action scenes but criticising the characters' romance, saying, "Tiger and Zoya both make good kung fu street fighters, but as spies they're unconvincing, and as lovers they're cookie-cutter bland. Their loyalty to each other is never really in question and only tepidly tested, so the theme of my enemy, myself, remains unexplored." According to French journalist Marjolaine Gout, the movie is "a roaring fairy tale where the damsel in distress fights back with fists and thighs" and called it a "visual and comic feast". She gave it 3.5 stars out of 5.Box office
It became the highest grossing Bollywood film of 2012 and the third highest of all time at the time of its release.Domestic
Ek Tha Tiger opened with 80-85% occupancy at multiplexes and single-screen cinemas and it broke records with capacity audiences, the widest release ever. It collected around, on its first day of release; a 40% increase on the previous record, which was 21 crore nett approx set by Agneepath. On its second day in the single screens across India it collected around 14.5 crore. and on its third day it collected around 12.1 crore, taking its total collections in its first three days to 57.9 crore, a new record for the weekend. The film's collections grew on Saturday and Sunday, and it collected in its extended five-day weekend. Ek Tha Tiger collected 143 crore in its extended first week of nine days, and 29.5 crore nett in its second week to make a 16-day total of 179 crore. During its third week, the film collected, 3 crore in its fourth week and in fifth to make a total of 199 crore in eight weeks. Its final distributor share of 106 crore is the highest ever in Bollywood as of 29 November 2012.Overseas
Ek Tha Tiger had strong collections in overseas markets despite not being released in Pakistan. The movie collected around 36.3 crore in five days. It has collected around US$10.50 million near the end of its run overseas. Ek Tha Tiger is one of the highest-grossing Bollywood films in overseas markets.Records
After its release, Ek Tha Tiger broke several records. After its box office opening it collected 32 crore in the first day and became the highest opening collection in the history of Indian cinema and the biggest single-day collection ever. The film also broke the record for opening weekend net gross, opening week net gross and entered the '100 Crore Club; the fastest in 5 days of release, breaking Salman Khan's own record set by Bodyguard in 7 Days. After collecting 33.5 crore worldwide, the film became the third highest-grossing Bollywood film of all time and the second Bollywood film to gross over 300 crore worldwide, exceeded only by 3 Idiots and Dhoom 3.Soundtrack
All songs, except one composed by Sajid–Wajid, are composed by Sohail Sen. The film score was composed by Julius Packiam, who included an instrumental track on the soundtrack. Initially, Pritam was signed to compose the songs for Ek Tha Tiger and the film's first digital poster credited him as such. However, he opted out of the film because of date clashes with another Yash Raj project, Dhoom 3. Neelesh Misra, Anvita Dutt and Kausar Munir wrote the lyrics. A song titled Jaaniyan, which had vocals by Pakistani singer Bilawal Baloch, was reported to have been leaked from the film's soundtrack. Yash Raj Films officials denied the news, and said that the album was in no danger of being leaked. "Mashallah", sung by Wajid Ali and Shreya Ghoshal, written by Kausar Munir was released as a single on 27 June 2012. The full soundtrack album was released by YRF Music on 1 August 2012.Track list
Critical reception
The soundtrack album of Ek Tha Tiger received unanimously positive reviews. Satyajit of Glamsham gave the album 4/5, saying, "Ek Tha Tiger roars with multi-cultured international musical feel, a musician delight that primarily targets classy listeners. Unlike massy tracks of Dabangg, Wanted, Ready or Bodyguard, it has more classy appeal attached to it and all credits goes to composer's skillfulness in catching every aura, genre and format." Indo-Asian News Service posting on CNN-IBN gave the album 4/5 and said that it "offers the listener the romantic and action flavour of the movie. This one's definitely an entertaining affair with an array of sounds for music lovers." Purva Desai of The Times of India also gave the album 4/5 and said that it was " good effort by Sohail Sen and Sajid-Wajid because the album is fresh and sounds new, where the music composers have made an attempt to incorporate world sounds. The music is so different from Kabir Khan's earlier films like Kabul Express and New York which makes the music of Ek Tha Tiger a welcome surprise!" Devesh Sharma of Filmfare gave the soundtrack 4/5, stating that "e are used to pulsating music in Salman Khan starrers, so this album is a tad disappointing in that sense." and also that "The songs have a situational feel and let's hope they look better on screen than they sound." Joginder Tuteja of Bollywood Hungama gave the album 3.5/5 and wrote, "he music of Ek Tha Tiger is good though one expected it to have gone all the way further up." and that "In case of Ek Tha Tiger, there isn't any composition that puts you off. In fact what is noticeable is the fact that the overall sound of the album remains more or less consistent."Accolades
| Distributor | Date aired | Category | Recipient | Result | Reference |
| Golden Kela Awards | January 2013 | Worst Director | Kabir Khan | rowspan="2" | |
| Golden Kela Awards | January 2013 | Baawra Ho Gaya Hai Ke Award | Ek Tha Tiger ' | - | |
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