Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has added yet another feather to his illustrious cap, as his blockbuster Ek Tha Tiger has become the only Indian film to be showcased at the prestigious International Spy
Museum in Washington, D.C., USA. The film, directed by Kabir Khan and released in 2012, not only cemented Salman’s status as India’s most beloved on-screen spy but also laid the foundation for what is now known as the YRF Spy Universe.
Ek Tha Tiger’s Global Recognition
The International Spy Museum is dedicated to chronicling espionage history and culture through real-world artifacts and iconic representations in cinema. Its special section featuring around 25 celebrated spy films and series highlights some of the most definitive works in the genre. Amid international greats, from Hollywood thrillers to Cold War classics, Salman Khan’s Ek Tha Tiger shines as the lone representative of Hindi cinema.
Kabir Khan himself was surprised by the recognition. “I didn’t have any knowledge about it and I got to know from the people who saw it over there. They messaged me, ‘We saw the poster of Ek Tha Tiger and it’s the only Hindi film there in the whole galaxy of films’. I found it very amusing and it was great to see Salman and Katrina’s faces on that wall,” the filmmaker revealed.
Kabir Khan on the Legacy of Ek Tha Tiger
Reflecting on the film’s journey, Kabir Khan shared how Ek Tha Tiger has grown in stature over the years. “Some films take a life of their own as the years pass. Ek Tha Tiger is one such film that has grown in popularity, also because it subsequently became part of the Spyverse initiated by Yash Raj. Being the first film of the universe gives it a certain exalted position,” he said.
The director also emphasized how the film’s raw, grounded action sequences set it apart. “Those were the days when we were not relying so much on VFX for action. I feel that as a filmmaker and an audience, there’s a difference when you attempt raw, real and gritty action. Too much dependence on VFX doesn’t connect. Ek Tha Tiger brought the spy genre out in a big way, featuring stars like Salman and Katrina. That also helped,” he added.
How Salman Khan’s Spy Saga Redefined Bollywood Action
When Ek Tha Tiger released in 2012, it broke away from the usual Bollywood action-romance template. It introduced audiences to a globe-trotting, larger-than-life spy character in RAW agent Avinash Singh Rathore aka Tiger, played by Salman Khan, and his electrifying chemistry with Katrina Kaif’s ISI agent Zoya. The film became one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of its time, later spawning sequels Tiger Zinda Hai and Tiger 3, which further expanded the YRF Spy Universe alongside Pathaan and War.
Salman Khan’s Upcoming Projects
Even as Ek Tha Tiger earns international acclaim, Salman Khan continues to keep fans excited with a packed line-up. His next, Battle of Galwan, has already created a stir with its first look, promising an intense war drama rooted in real events. Additionally, talks of a possible reunion with Kabir Khan for Bajrangi Bhaijaan 2 have only added to the anticipation, potentially blending Salman’s action-star persona with emotionally resonant storytelling once again.
With Ek Tha Tiger now immortalized at the International Spy Museum, Salman Khan’s legacy as Bollywood’s ultimate action hero has transcended borders — a testament to his enduring stardom and the global reach of Indian cinema.
