Ek Tha Tiger(2012)
Ek Tha Tiger is a 2012 Indian Hindi-language action thriller film directed and co-written by Kabir Khan and produced by Aditya Chopra under Yash Raj Films. The film stars Salman Khan as Avinash 'Tiger' Singh Rathore, a RAW agent, and Katrina Kaif as Zoya, an ISI agent, with Ranvir Shorey, Roshan Seth, Girish Karnad, and Gavie Chahal in supporting roles. The story follows Tiger, who is sent to Dublin to observe a scientist suspected of sharing nuclear secrets with Pakistan, where he falls in love with the scientist's caretaker, who is also a spy. The film was shot in international locations including Dublin, Havana, Bangkok, and Istanbul, and was the first Bollywood film to shoot in Cuba. It received generally positive reviews for its action sequences and lead performances, and it broke several box office records, becoming the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2012 with a worldwide gross of ₹334.39 crore. The film was released theatrically on 15 August 2012 and is the first installment in the YRF Spy Universe, followed by Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) and Tiger 3 (2023).
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- Netflix, Amazon Prime Video
- Theatrical Release
- 15 August 2012
- Director
- Kabir Khan
- Language
- Hindi
- Runtime
- 2h 12m
- Rating
- 6.1/10
Storyline
RAW agent Tiger is sent to Dublin to spy on a scientist. He falls in love with Zoya, the scientist's caretaker. But Zoya is also a spy, working for Pakistan's ISI. When their true identities are revealed, they must choose between their countries and their love.
“Love knows no borders.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Ek Tha Tiger
Cast reunions in this film: Katrina Kaif & Salman Khan (9 films together), Katrina Kaif & Aditya Chopra (5 films together), Kabir Khan & Aseem Mishra (4 films together), Aditya Chopra & Aseem Mishra (4 films together), Katrina Kaif & Ranvir Shorey (3 films together), and Katrina Kaif & Kabir Khan (3 films together).
Trivia
- The film's climax was shot in Havana, Cuba, making it one of the first major Bollywood films to extensively shoot there.
- Salman Khan performed many of his own stunts, including a fight scene on a moving bus in Dublin.
- The character 'Tiger' was reportedly inspired by real-life RAW agent Ravindra Kaushik, known as 'The Black Tiger'.
- The film's working title was 'Tiger', but 'Ek Tha Tiger' was chosen to give it a fairy-tale-like feel.
- It was the first Bollywood film to be released in Saudi Arabia after a 35-year ban on Indian cinema.
- A scene where Salman Khan runs across rooftops in Dublin required over 50 takes to get right.
- The film's success led to the creation of the 'YRF Spy Universe', which includes films like 'War' and 'Pathaan'.