Back on August 15, 2012 we saw the release of the film Ek Tha Tiger directed by Kabir Khan. Featuring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif in lead roles the film was said to be a first in a series of action oriented spy films that were being planned. 5 years later in 2017, the second film in the tiger series, Tiger Zinda Hai helmed by Ali Abbas Zafar hit screens to a thunderous response from the audience. Now another five years later we are gearing up for the release of the third instalment in the franchise with Tiger 3 slated to hit screens on April 21, 2023. Ahead of the release of the third film, Bollywood Hungama takes a retrospective look at the box office performance of the previous two releases and how they have improved in collections.
Ek Tha Tiger, the Kabir Khan directorial saw its release across 3300 screens in the domestic market and another 550 screens overseas. One of the widest domestic releases of its time, Ek Tha Tiger opened with a bang raking in Rs. 32.93 cr on Day 1. With positive audience feedback the business of the film saw further growth on its opening weekend with collections being pegged at Rs. 100.16 cr. By the end of its first week, the business of Ek Tha Tiger had managed to cross the Rs. 150 cr mark, with a total collection of Rs. 154.21 cr. However, post its first week in theatres, the business of the film saw a decline ending its theatrical run with a total box office collections just shy of the Rs. 200 cr mark at Rs. 198.78 cr.
The second instalment in the Tiger franchise, Tiger Zinda Hai helmed by Ali Abbas Zafar witnessed an even bigger release than the first film. Released across 4600 screens in the domestic market and 1100 screens overseas the film was expected to be one of the biggest money spinners of 2017. Living up to expectations Tiger Zinda Hai that marked Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif return to the big screen with the franchise, saw its opening day collection being pegged at Rs. 34.10 cr, while its opening weekend clocked Rs. 114.93 cr. though not much more than the previous release Ek Tha Tiger, what differed for the second film was the fact that unlike the first, it managed to run in theatres for a staggering 9 weeks! Thanks to this the film ended its theatrical run with a collection of Rs. 339.16 cr at the domestic box office.
Looking at the incremental track record of box office collections, and of course the ever-increasing number of screens and ticket prices, it is safe to say that Tiger 3 will in all likely hood be even bigger than the previous two films in the franchise.
