'Ek Tha Tiger' review: A typical masala entertainer!

Gayatri Sankar What would you expect when Salman Khan, Kabir Khan and Yash Raj Films team up- a super masala entertainer, right? ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ looked very promising prior to its release and the film does entertain you to an extent but also compels you to wonder if you truly want to ridicule your intelligence. After ‘Wanted’, ‘Dabangg’ and ‘Bodyguard’, ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ - yet another Eid release of Salman Khan - might just make it to the Rs100 crore club, courtesy his incredible fan following and an intriguing first half. But the film sadly falls in the same trap like other Salman films which lack content. Salman Khan plays Tiger, a code name given to him by Research & Analysis Wing (RAW) of India. But the role of an intelligence officer has been manipulated to the core to befit a masala entertainer! After a successful mission in Iraq, Tiger is now entrusted with the task of collecting external intelligence by spying on a Trinity College Professor, who has apparently been approached by the ISI for sharing missile technology secrets. Tiger flies down to Dublin, the Irish capital, to follow the Professor. And that is where he ends up meeting his ladylove (Zoya) Katrina Kaif, the professor’s residence caretaker. Tiger introduces himself as Manish Chandra, a writer, and seeks her help in getting an appointment with the professor. Zoya extends all possible help to a shelter-less Manish and befriends him. And that is when seeds of romance are sowed! Though Tiger knows that he is on a mission and he dare not fall in love, he loses his heart to Zoya, who could act as a catalyst in providing information about the professor. Tiger is constantly reminded of his duties by Gopi (Ranvir Shorey), his colleague, not to lose his heart while on a mission but he does approve of Tiger’s choice of a Bhabhi for him! Zoya, who also happens to be a dance instructor, invites Tiger for a show and here is where you would find a twist in the tale! After an incredible ‘Kabul Express’ and somewhat gritty `New York`, a masala entertainer like ETT wasn’t expected from director Kabir Khan. Yash Raj Films has certainly spent a whopping amount on the exotic locations that are a treat to watch but haven’t helped the film gain a cult status. However, the film does have superbly directed action sequences, foot-tapping songs by Sohail Sen and Sajid-Wajid, and a tinge of Salman Khan`s special comedy that does make you cheer. And mostly importantly, though Salman and Katrina deny being in a relationship in real life, their chemistry onscreen looks every bit convincing. And the duo is an absolute delight to the eyes! But over all, the film does disappoint you for it fails to deliver what it promised. If you are a Salman Khan fan, you would love it for sure and the movie might rake-in the moolah because of the superstar! It will certainly entertain you if you leave your brains outside the theatre! Rating: Two cheers for this romantic thriller!