I still remember watching the first day, first show of Dabangg on an Eid holiday and then, coming out happy, having thoroughly enjoyed the Salman-act of single-handedly carrying the typical Masala film. I was happy because in a way, he was reviving the prime-time Amitabh-era of the seventies and eighties, where a hero made dashing entries, single-handedly bashed up goons, delivered cool ‘dialogues’ and cracked witty jokes. Post-Dabbang, I dutifully watched all Salman-releases first day, first show but those films like Ready and Bodyguard were disappointing to say the least. They were third-rate films, which just used Salman’s star-appeal and made a lot of moolah at the box-office.

So I was not sure what to expect when I walked in to see Ek Tha Tiger, once again on an Eid-first day, first show. The unique coming together of Sallu, Kat and Yashraj was promising. The promos were interesting and so was Kabul Express-fame Kabir Khan’s name as the director. Then the movie began!

What’s the plot?

Tiger (Salman Khan) is Indian intelligence agency RAW’s most valuable secret service agent. He is a workaholic, a tough guy, who totally believes in his mentor’s (Girish Karnad) advice of valuing brain more than heart in his undercover spying activities of hunting down terrorists and enemy agents all over the world. One of his important assignments takes him to London to track down a nuclear scientist and for that he befriends the scientist’s young housekeeper (Katrina Kaif). Just when the friendship turns into love, it emerges that the girl is working as an undercover Pakistani ISI agent. The trained brain tells Tiger to finish off the enemy but now for the first time, he finds his heart coming in the way. With patriotic duties weighing heavily on their minds, will these hearts from opposite camps stand any chance of coming together?

What’s hot?

With films like Prince- It’s showtime, Game and Agent Vinod, the James Bond-Jason Bourne style spy sagas have found their Bollywood niche and Ek Tha Tiger follows in the same path. Yashraj production values ensure that the film looks plush. It takes us on an exotic intercontinental tour with plenty of action and stunts featuring the lead pair.

Salman and Katrina look good together.

Kat coolly carries off the tough spy act with all those jumps, bumps and thumps.

What’s not?

Salman is strangely subdued in his portrayal and that takes away the entire fun-aspect of his screen persona. The screenplay offers him little chance of showing off his public-pleasing antics. Even the songs do not give him any chance to break into his wacky dance-steps and the only true catchy number Masha Allah begins when the end-credits start rolling.

The director focusses mainly on the action-aspect and leaves the romantic angle hanging.

The story fails to generate any intrigue and the twists and turns in the plot are pretty predictable.

Verdict

Even with its lavish production values and big names, Ek Tha Tiger feels like a caged tiger that is never let loose. The action part dominates and comedy and romance take the back-seat.

And a restrained role from Salman? Come on, give me a break!