Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has unveiled the third installment of the highly anticipated Tiger series, generating immense excitement among fans. The film, directed by Maneesh Sharma of Band Baaja Baaraat fame, brings back Katrina Kaif as Zoya. Amidst considerable anticipation, the film premiered today. Did Tiger 3 meet the expectations set by its predecessors, Ek Tha Tiger and Tiger Zinda Hai, within the YRF Spy Universe? Let’s explore.
Plot Synopsis:
Tiger (Salman Khan) receives intelligence from a RAW agent about the activities of former ISI agent Aatish Rehman (Emraan Hashmi). However, Aatish proves to be a formidable adversary, staying ahead of Tiger and executing a solid plan. How will Tiger respond? What are Aatish’s motives, and how does Zoya (Katrina Kaif) contribute to this mission? These questions drive the narrative.
Highlights:
The film kicks off on an engaging note with an intriguing opening and a well-executed twist. The second half delivers some compelling moments, featuring characters from the Tiger franchise effectively integrated into action sequences.
Salman Khan excels in action sequences, displaying unwavering conviction in his performance. The collaboration scenes between Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan are a standout, providing a delightful experience. Shah Rukh Khan’s entry scene is particularly noteworthy, injecting energy into the film. Katrina Kaif impresses with her powerful portrayal of Zoya, delivering stunning stunts and a captivating screen presence. Simran delivers a satisfactory performance, and the post-credits scene adds an extra layer of excitement.
Drawbacks:
Despite a promising start, the narrative loses momentum, especially in the first half, with dull and uninspiring scenes. The plot might not resonate well with the Indian audience, lacking emotional depth and making it challenging to connect with the characters. Unlike previous entries in the YRF Spy Universe, Tiger 3 lacks sufficient entertainment value.
The film suffers from a scarcity of high-impact moments, a departure from the expectations set by the Tiger franchise. The storytelling appears flat for a significant portion, and the poorly written villain’s role, played by Emraan Hashmi, feels clichéd and monotonous.
The VFX elements, criticized in earlier films like Pathaan, continue to be a drawback for Tiger 3, limiting the overall cinematic experience. While the fight scenes are well choreographed, the subpar visual effects diminish their impact. Additionally, the film lacks standout songs and a compelling background score.
Technical Evaluation:
The music by Pritam falls short of expectations, and the background score by Tanuj Tiku fails to impress in a film of this scale. While cinematography by Anay Om is commendable, the visual effects could have been executed more effectively. The editing is well done, but overall, the technical aspects leave room for improvement.
In terms of direction, Maneesh Sharma falls short of delivering a consistently engaging experience, with the film succeeding only in fragments. Aditya Chopra’s storyline lacks depth, and Shridhar Raghavan’s screenplay fails to elevate the overall narrative. Despite some pleasing moments in the second half and the inclusion of cameos, Tiger 3 falls short of being a standout film.
Verdict:
In summary, Tiger 3 doesn’t fully live up to the hype, offering entertainment in spurts. Salman Khan shines in his action-packed role, and the film gains momentum during the scenes featuring both Salman and Shah Rukh Khan. While the second half provides relief with a few decent moments, the film may benefit from its release during a holiday period. However, the true test lies ahead when the working days commence. Fans of the Tiger franchise are advised to manage their expectations accordingly.