Any reason why those critics would have praise for 'Ek Tha Tiger' is because they were promised a share of its opening success. But just as its box-office smashing opening, it begins on an impressive high in a sequence that is supposedly shot in Iraq with some stunning cinematography. The breathtaking location is supported by a well choreographed action sequence atop roofs of the low structures and bazaar streets. However, once we are introduced to this R.A.W. Agent named 'Tiger', it all starts going downhill from there. Dublin, Havana, Istanbul, London or New Delhi no longer resemble those breathtaking visuals we had seen in Iraq. It's as though the cinematographer and director had changed for the rest of the movie. The action starts looking amateurish and the R.A.W. Agent loses his credibility of being an agent at all. With its non-existent story-telling, weak direction and Salman's stiff, expression-less portrayal, one loses respect for 'Ek Tha Tiger' and rather appreciates several aspects of its predecessor of R.A.W. Reference, 'Agent Vinod'.
After he is done showing off his macho physique in the Delhi neighbourhood upon his return from Iraq, Tiger is keen on jumping to his next assignment that takes him to Dublin, on the trail of a professor (Roshan Seth) who is reluctant to meet anyone but his own dog. Tiger meets Zoya (Katrina Kaif), who introduces him to the professor, he falls for her, digresses from his mission completely, sings a song or two and is then shocked to find out Zoya's true identity who is actually.... wait for it..... an I.S.I. Agent!! Kabir Khan plays 'New York's surprise story once again while Tiger gets all gloomy back in New Delhi. His next mission takes him to Istanbul where he decides to elope with Zoya, right under the noses of R.A.W. And I.S.I's officials. Then, by switching identities and putting up incredulous disguises that makes Salman look like Suryavanshi all over again, they escape to Cuba where they stupidly pose in action in front of the camera for the world to see. Once again, they're on the run in undisclosed locations and false identities. R.A.W.'s chief, (Girish Karnad) thus concludes the theme of the movie – Ek Tha Tiger. If this was lame to read through, you have no idea how it is to sit through the film when the action simply becomes laughable with conspicuous body doubles doing all the work for our senior citizen Tiger. These sequences also involve him jumping from an airborne motorcycle into the open door of an already flying airplane in a choppy CGI shot. Rajnikant's jaw must've dropped as well.
Kabir Khan never had it right after the opening sequence. If this is the story that Aditya Chopra comes up with, then it's time he hands over all creativity back to his father. The plot has no complexity whatsoever and Tiger's weakness as a dedicated R.A.W. Agent simply dampens the already struggling plot. Compare all this to Shriram Raghavan's slick 'Agent Vinod' - The plot was convoluted for being a spy thriller, the romance never became too serious and it never digressed the film's focus which revolved around the agent's mission. The action was more credible and so was Saif's portrayal as a secret agent. 'Ek Tha Tiger' makes 'Agent Vinod' look like it was made under the MGM banner with Martin Campbell directing it.
Katrina Kaif does well in her role as an I.S.I. Agent. Although, she looks too beautiful to be taken seriously as one. In the Mashallah song, Katrina looks like a gift from the Gods to mankind. Salman Khan looks much older than ShahRukh Khan did in Ra.One and his physique is perhaps so bulky that his movements are even more restricted. For a simple jump from the first storey, he needs a body double. His movement in action and dance is just so stiff that it robs the essence of the character he is playing. To the extent that agent Tiger is too Salman- ish rather than the other way round. Yet, he has done his best in portraying a character that wasn't even well written to begin with. Ranvir Shorey is the most fun to watch though. His performance is brilliant as Tiger's support and he brings the humor as well as the seriousness in the film. Girish Karnad seems a bit extreme as the chief of R.A.W. while he devours Tiger's special Daal and sulks about his lost love. But we'll take that since we haven't seen him in a while.
Sohail Sen's music will be remembered for the arabic tune of Masha-allah and for Mohit Chauhan's melodious singing in Saiyaara to some fine tunes.
Director Kabir Khan has reportedly used Salman's advice while filming 'Ek Tha Tiger' and certainly that did not help his cause. While he had the potential to create something superlative with such a cast and the promise of the opening sequence, he washed it all down with the ridiculous action sequences that followed, the frivolous plot-line and poorly written characters. It seems like anything goes for success these days and 'Ek Tha Tiger' is a shining example that audiences can decide the fate of any film. With its ginormous collections already, there is no need to contribute more to its makers' wallets. You can wait a while and watch it on Zee or Doordarshan....
