Ali Abbas Zaffar’s sequel of Ek Tha Tiger (2012) – Tiger Zinda Hai – features the Indian version of Rambo – Tiger, played by a rugged Salman Khan who is often described as an indestructible machine. His accomplice and lady love, Zoya (played by Katrina Kaif), a Pakistani spy, is seen as someone equally formidable. She fights and shoots back deftly, but the focus isn’t on her.
The previous film ended with Tiger being assumed dead even though he had been spotted in a number of countries from time to time. The new film reinforces the tagline predominant in most of Salman Khan’s films – one can simply not do away with a Salman Khan character.
The trailer opens with 25 Indian nurses trapped in Iraq owing to the terrorist organisation growing and thriving. Ill treated and beaten, help is sought. Enter Tiger, with his guns and machismo in tow. It appears as though the only way to save them is through Tiger, with a little help from Zoya.
Talks of death does the round since the supreme leader of the terror organisation doesn’t look so forgiving. Not only does he tell everybody to prepare for death, he even speaks Hindi in an accent that’s almost too difficult to comprehend. Nevertheless, his glares and death stares are enough to confirm that defeating him is no easy task.
The trailer goes on to show Tiger caught, but at the same time speaking in third person, about how Tiger is the one who hunts and others should simply run. No one can escape Tiger.
If you are familiar with Salman Khan’s films, given his track record, it’s safe enough to declare that the film would end up with him saving the 25 Indian nurses, especially when words echoed by Girish Karnad’s character on Indian pride and honour comes into play.
The film also stars Angad Bedi, Paresh Rawal, and Kannada actor Sudeep. Given that it’s being billed as action film, there is a hint of romance also seen with Katrina and Salman sashaying in a ballroom while there’s chaos and mayhem around.
Tiger Zinda Hai is scheduled for a December 22 release this year.