`Ek Tha Tiger` promises full on entertainment

New Delhi: Wait is over for all Salman Khan fans as the star is coming to cinema halls Wednesday with ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ to celebrate Independence Day followed by Eid. High on action, the spy thriller has an interesting dose of romance too.

The 2009 release ‘Wanted’ was a turning point in Salman`s career. Ever since his success rate has been rising with hit after hit – ‘Dabangg’, ‘Ready’ and ‘Bodyguard’. Not only these entered the Rs.100 crore club, they were all high on action and ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ too belongs to the same genre. Another high point of the film is that Salman will be seen with his ex-girlfriend Katrina Kaif after four years. Their last film together was ‘Yuvvraaj’. Many feel that the "jodi" will attract more and more footfalls to theatres and critically acclaimed director Kabir Khan claims Katrina will show her acting potential in the movie. The story is by Aditya Chopra and the film`s screenplay has been co-written by Kabir Khan and well-known journalist-turned-lyricist-writer Neelesh Misra. Before turning to feature film, Kabir Khan was known as a fearless documentary filmmaker and, Misra too proved his writing skills by penning book like ‘173 Hours in Captivity: The Hijacking of IC-814’. When two such great minds get together, expectations are bound to be high from the film that revolves around Tiger, a rugged, handsome and mysterious bachelor, played by Salman, who is a Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officer. He is sent on a safe mission to Dublin, Ireland, to observe an Indian origin scientist who is suspected of sharing his research findings with the Pakistan defence establishment. He attempts to meet the scientist but is not successful. He then tries to befriend the scientist`s part-time home caretaker, Zoya (Katrina). As Tiger begins to get closer to Zoya, he discovers his human side and for the first time in his life he falls in love. What follows is a tumultuous journey that Tiger and Zoya embark upon, battling the dark world of intelligence that forbids its soldiers from falling in love. Another good actor, Ranvir Shorey will be seen as Gopi, a RAW officer and Tiger`s close friend. The film`s cost is said to be above Rs.50 crore and ‘Ek Tha...’ marks Kabir Khan`s third collaboration with Yash Raj Films after ‘Kabul Express’ in 2006 and ‘New York’ in 2009. Kabir Khan describes the movie as complete package and adds: "There is not one USP of the film and I think that is the reason why people are liking the promo too. `Ek Tha Tiger` is a complete package film. It has the whole package of Salman-Katrina, action and Yash Raj productions." The film has been exclusively shot at five foreign locales like Dublin, Cuba and Istanbul. The film is coming out on Independence Day and then Monday is Eid. Multiplex chains have decided to cash in on the festive atmosphere by hiking ticket price by 12 to 16 percent. After all the buzz and hype around the movie, it would be interesting to see how audiences and critics receive the film and if it would also enter the Rs.100 crore club. IANS