Kuumar Shyam (Abu Dhabi)
The trailer of Salman Khan’s much-awaited film Tiger 3 released on Monday unwrapping a few more details while confirming others. The third franchise of the Indian superstar’s hit series, where he plays spy agent nicknamed Tiger, includes scenes from Abu Dhabi again and is slated for a November 10 release.
Tiger 3 follows after a six-year gap to Tiger Zinda Hai, which saw a studio set up in the Khalifa Industrial Zone, and more than a decade after the 2012 release Ek Tha Tiger.
The trailer affirms Salman’s interaction at the International Indian Film Academy Awards 2023 in May at the Etihad Arena in the emirate. He confirmed the film’s wrap, saying: “Last night, I was shooting for Tiger (Tiger 3) and I have completed it. Now you will get to see Tiger on Diwali, inshallah. It was a very hectic shoot, it was good though.”
Abu Dhabi once again plays a starry role in the superstar’s career graph having last shot Race 3 also in the UAE capital with scenes from Emirates Palace, Hudayriat Island and locations in Al Wathba desert.
While Salman and co-star Katrina Kaif are no strangers to the Tiger franchise, Emraan Hashmi will be joining as an antagonist this time around. Photos of him preparing hard for the role had done rounds on social media, in which he looks all bulked up to take on Tiger.
In the trailer, he makes his face known only towards the end although Salman and Hashmi’s voiceovers are the only ones voicing out the teaser lines in the entire two-and-half minute video. Originally, planned for an April-May release, the shooting and post-production got delayed and will now release on the eve of the Hindu festival of Diwali. Salman always tries to release his films around key holiday periods.
The film was shot in Russia, Turkey and Austria apart from India and the UAE. It will release in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu languages. Producers Yash Raj Films gave the reasons for an unusual Sunday release compared to a Friday as is the norm in India.
From November 11 to 15, different parts of India have various regional festivals or occasions along with the three-day Diwali period. Tiger 3 is set to benefit from more than a week’s run of without competition.
The UAE has seen a bevy of movie shoots recently, with Hollywood star Tom Cruise’s “Mission: Impossible 7” filmed in Abu Dhabi, while Shah Rukh’s “Pathan” has shot in Dubai.
An in-film teaser to Tiger 3 was shown in Pathan when Salman Khan made a cameo appearance in the end. It is now speculated heavily that Shahrukh has returned the favour in Tiger 3, though the trailer obviously did not give out any of that. If reports are to be believed, the duo shot for high-end action sequences and a tremendous set was made in the city.