Tiger 3: A Spy Thriller That Delivers What You Expect

In a movie, you don't always receive what you expect. Not a bit more or less. Nothing remarkable, nothing unexpected, and nothing to be disappointed by. That's precisely what Tiger 3, the third installment of Indian R&AW agent Tiger and former ISI agent Zoya's love tale, offers.

Even though their sizzling chemistry has taken a backseat to advancing Yash Raj Films' spy world, of which Tiger and Zoya are now a part, Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif wear their roles with ease. Even during a Diwali early screening of the movie, one can't really complain when all the romance is replaced with intense action and new alliances that threaten to topple the house.

This time, Tiger is still on missions, but Zoya is taking care of the family at home—or is she? Is she genuinely trying to harm Tiger, or is there another, more significant reason? Will Tiger defend his country and his family, or will he have to choose between the two? The responses match your expectations to the letter. The franchise, which is being led by Maneesh Sharma this time, maintains the feeling of travel as our favorite agents ride motorcycles on rooftops, battle in hamams, and pull off incredible stunts while traveling from Austria to Turkey to Russia. This time, the race is to discredit Tiger as a renegade agent, avert a military takeover in our neighboring nation, and halt the prime minister of Pakistan's assassination.

Salman may not be stripping off this time, but his keffiyeh is still in use and creating the customary ceeti-taalis. He never lets his supporters down as he delivers powerful punches and kicks. One of the film's most memorable action scenes features Katrina engaging in hand-to-hand combat while covered in towels in a Turkish bath, demonstrating her increased level of action proficiency after demonstrating it in the previous two installments. Even Zoya's past is revealed to us, which begs the question of whether a spin-off starring her wouldn't be worthwhile. Zoya is one character in the YRF espionage universe who merits a spin-off.

Hoots, hollers, and wolf whistles as Shah Rukh Khan's Pathaan, in all his flying hair and gregarious magnificence, shows up to help when Tiger gets into a pickle are well timed. For around fifteen minutes, when the two are on screen together fighting bad guys, the bromance that is seen in Pathaan is very evident. Hint! Stay for the end-credit nacha-gaana as the other spy guy from the spy universe (whom it seems is a spoiler) only makes an appearance post-credit in a scene reminiscent of Batman.

Unexpectedly, Tiger 3 features the scene-stealing villain Aatish Rehman, portrayed by Emraan Hashmi in lusciously black hues. Hashmi likewise looks the part in dark attire and a beard sprinkled with grey. Hashmi, a disgraced former ISI agent with deep ties to Zoya's past, is given motivation and history to elevate him above the typical villain. Although there is a satisfying one-on-one confrontation between Rehman and Tiger, the main action is the rivalry between them as they attempt to foil each other's schemes. That makes two occasions in which the Tiger franchise has taken us by surprise with a villain to discuss; the other was Sajjad Delafrooz's Abu Usman in Tiger Zinda Hai. Marvel might want to study up on how to make their villains more formidable.

Returning to what was anticipated and delivered, there is a good measure of both Indian and Pakistani patriotism, as well as enough talk of peace and prosperity to make everyone happy. One example of this is when Pakistani kids unexpectedly play an instrumental version of the Indian national anthem, which causes the entire movie theater to erupt into applause.

Tiger 3 demonstrates that sometimes all you need is precisely the value you anticipated for your money. That's also the reason you'll sign up for it if a Tiger 4 is in the works.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.