Tiger Zinda Hai (Espionage Thriller)

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Critics Rating: 3/5

Cast: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Girish Karnad, Paresh Rawal, Angad Bedi, Kumud Mishra, Anant Vidhaat

Direction: Ali Abbas Zafar

Duration: 2 hours, 41 minutes

Language: Hindi (U/A)

Story: RAW agent Tiger who is away from action for eight years is staying with his wife Zoya (a Pakistani spy who was in love with him in the first part – Ek Tha Tiger) and son Junior when he is called on a mission to rescue 25 Indian and 15 Pakistani nurses taken hostage by terrorists in Iraq. 

Review: First thing first, this spy thriller unapologetically caters to Salman Khan fans, and they have every reason to cheer as the superstar is in top form here. He owns the film with his strut and swag. And, there’s charming chemistry between him and Katrina who he is reuniting on screen after the prequel Ek Tha Tiger.

As for the film, while the plot is taken from a real incident, the proceedings defy all logic. When Tiger agrees to take on the mission, he forms his own team comprising an expert sniper, a bomb diffusion specialist and tech wizard.  He is joined by Zoya when she learns Pakistani nurses are also taken hostage and the two join forces with their countrymen to rescue them. There is enough humour and patriotic sense from both sides to make this happen in the film. The rest of the story is predictable but what grabs you are the spectacular action sequences designed by Hollywood’s Tom Struthers, who is known for action in films like The Dark Knight and Inception. Also praise worthy is the background score by Julius Packham, that adds to the thriller element. Director Ali Abbas Zaffar has a tight grip on the goings-on, and though there are times when you feel it is bit of a drag, and are on the verge of losing interest, something in the form of humour or action holds you.

 

Katrina does not have much to do in this Salman special, but for once she is there not just to lend glamour. She shows she’s got what it takes when it comes to action and executes those sequences flawlessly. The rest of the cast is competent and almost every actor has been given a scene to score.

Also, though it is a sequel it can be watched without having seen the prequel. This is a full-on masala entertainer and seeing the way the people bajaoed ceeties and taalis whenever Salman came on screen, the superstar has a winner with this one. Watch it for him and the superb action.