More than a decade after its release, Bollywood movie Ek Tha Tiger has found a new place of recognition far away from Indian cinema halls.
The 2012 Kabir Khan film starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif is now the only Indian movie featured at the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC, where it stands alongside global spy classics such as Casino Royale, Mission Impossible, Spy Game, Bridge of Spies and The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
The museum has a dedicated section on iconic spy films and series, showcasing posters of around 25 international titles. The inclusion of Ek Tha Tiger, produced by Aditya Chopra, marks a rare honour for an Indian film to share space with Hollywood and European productions that have shaped the spy genre worldwide.
Director Kabir Khan said he first learnt of the film’s presence at the museum through messages from people who visited and spotted the poster on display.
He called it amusing and remarkable to see the lead pair of Salman and Katrina featured in such a setting. According to him, the addition of the film to the museum’s collection happened only recently.
Reflecting on the film’s journey, Kabir noted that Ek Tha Tiger has continued to enjoy popularity over the years, with viewers still sending him feedback and appreciation.
“A film is never only about how much it earned at the box office. It’s more about for how long will it continue to capture people’s imagination. And in that sense Ek Tha Tiger goes on and on. Of course it was one of the biggest box office grossers ever when it released in 2012 but what gives me even more joy is that it’s still spoken about with love now in 2025. Tiger humesha Zinda rahega…” the director wrote on Instagram.
Both lead actors have since moved on to new projects. Katrina Kaif was last seen in Merry Christmas in 2024, a bilingual made in both Hindi and Tamil. Salman Khan appeared most recently in Sikandar this year and will soon be seen in Battle of Galwan.
