If I put out one scene from any of the three Tiger movies and ask wo scene kaunse Tiger movie ka hai, it might just become the hardest question known to mankind. That’s how unoriginal this series of the Spy Universe is. Phir wahi India vs Pakistan waali kahaani yaar. “Tiger 3” is the latest spectacle in the Yash Raj Spy Universe, and it’s armed to the teeth with Salman Khan’s signature swagger. It promises you a ride filled with action, drama, and family dynamics, but doesn’t tell you that you’ve seen all of it before. Not once, but twice.
Plot
Nothing new here cuz “Tiger 3” follows the same script as its predecessors, with a Pakistani terrorist with the wrong idea of patriotism, and a need for revenge. Salman Khan’s Tiger is back, playing the hero in a cat-and-mouse game with his spy wife, Zoya. They face a personal threat when Aatish Rehman, a Pakistani terrorist gives them two options– do what he says, or lose your son. Can the spy couple stop him and save peace talks between the countries? Well, duhhh they can, and duhhh they will. What’s new? Exactly my point.
Performances
Salman Khan, for a change, looks fresh and in perfect form in the movie. He flexes his square jaw and action-hero muscles, doing stunts that are incomplete without Bhai ke fans ki seetis. Katrina Kaif, although was far more better in the action sequences. I remember her saying that she had gone through a lot of physical training for this movie, and it shows. She kicks some serious butt, stealing scenes and proving she looks better with a gun than her co-star. Emraan Hashmi also impresses as the ruthless Aatish Rehman, despite playing a character that’s as cliché as it gets, smh. And ofc there are some important (and expected) cameos that light up the screen.
Direction and Writing
Directed by Maneesh Sharma, “Tiger 3” benefits from not being the second sequel. The action is crisper, and the storytelling has more polish in comparison to the first two movies. But the problem lies in the writing. Why do the writers still think we are a dumb audience? Why do they still think showing an Ind vs Pak battle will have us on the edge of our seats? And why are the action sequences so frustratingly long and boring? You are one of the biggest (if not the biggest) movie franchises of Bollywood, kabhi toh out of the box soch lo yaar. Even Pritam’s music disappoints this time, I can only remember “Leke Prabhu Ka Naam”, and that too because of the million reels on Insta. Maneesh Sharma’s direction doesn’t really help either. I really think they should’ve stuck to Sid Anand or Ali Abbas Zafar.
Screenplay and Cinematography
The screenplay is very weird. 5 minutes ke liye they build the suspense and thrill and then BOOM there is a predictable AF plot twist that no one asked for. Kyu banna hai Abbas Mastaan? Simple stories can be entertaining too. In this case, a story with twists and turns can be pretty basic too. Also, they fcked up SRK’s cameo biggg time. The action sequence with him is so damn long that you just want it to stop after a while. Tiger had such a fun cameo in Pathaan, wish we could’ve seen a better round two. The only enjoyable part was the climax scene inside the Pak Parliament. Cinematographer Anay Goswamy deserves a high-five for capturing the international espionage saga with breathtaking visuals. But the film depends a little too much on VFX, and it shows. Some of the scenes seem just too fake. Lag gayi realism ki.
In the grand scheme of things, “Tiger 3” is like the fifth date in a relationship – you know what to expect, but you still sorta dig it. Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif bring the star power, and the action scenes have their moments, but the movie doesn’t break free from the shackles of its own franchise formula. It’s just another addition to the Yash Raj Spy Universe at best. As the universe expands, all we can do is hope there’s a change in the writer’s chair, and we get better, unconventional stories to catch us off guard. Until then, wait for “Tiger 3” to stream into your living room – it’s not worth going to the cinemas for.
