13 Years of Ek Tha Tiger: Salman Khan Was Not the First Choice—Find Out Who Got the Initial Offer

"Ek Tha Tiger," released on 15 August 2012, marked the thrilling start of the blockbuster Tiger franchise and is now celebrating 13 years since its iconic debut. This Yash Raj Films project featured Salman Khan as the dashing secret agent Tiger, pairing him with Katrina Kaif, and went on to become one of the biggest hits of his career. But fans may be surprised to know that Salman Khan was not the original choice for the role!

Hrithik Roshan Was the First Choice

Before director Kabir Khan and producer Aditya Chopra finalized Salman Khan, the makers actually approached Hrithik Roshan for the lead role. At that time, Hrithik was busy with prior commitments and was unable to sign on for "Ek Tha Tiger." After Hrithik declined, Kabir Khan suggested Salman’s name for the movie. Salman underwent a screen test, and his fit for the role left no doubts—the part was eventually his, and the rest is history.

Movie Success and Legacy

• Blockbuster Performance:
  Made on a budget of ₹75 crore, "Ek Tha Tiger" collected an impressive ₹320 crore worldwide, cementing its status as a blockbuster hit.

• Superhit Songs:
  The film featured chart-topping tracks like Mashallah, Laapata, Banjara, and Saiyara that remain popular even today.

• Franchise Growth:
  Its incredible success spawned sequels: Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) and Tiger 3 (2023), further boosting Salman’s stardom and solidifying the Tiger franchise as a fan-favorite action saga.

• OTT Viewing:
  "Ek Tha Tiger" is available for streaming on major OTT platforms, letting new and old fans relive the action-packed story of RAW agent Avinash Singh Rathore, aka Tiger.