Yash Raj Films' tentpole winter blockbuster, Tiger Zinda Hai, opened to a mammoth 5700 screens worldwide today.
While Salman Khan, in an interview with HuffPost India, has said he doesn't care what critics have to say about his film, the reviews have already started pouring in.
A key change in the sequel is the change of director. While Kabir Khan directed the original, Ek Tha Tiger, the sequel has been directed by Gunday/Sultan-director, Ali Abbas Zafar.
Saibal Chatterjee, in his 2-star review, wrote, "TZH simply isn't interested in achieving any balance. The emphasis is unwaveringly on Salman Khan the Saviour. Katrina, fetching but flimsy, is compelled to take a backseat. Mercifully, the principal antagonist Abu Usman, played by Iran-born, UAE-raised Sajjad Delafrooz, is no pushover: he makes his presence felt in no uncertain terms."
In her review for The Indian Express, Shubhra Gupta said, "Only once in a while, the film gives in and provides us a killing which sobers us up, but very quickly it's back to the base, with Bhai taking over, and everyone– including Nurse Poorna (Goenka, who plays Parvathy's role), and Zoya making way for him."
Writing for Firstpost, film critic Anna Vetticad commented, "Tiger Zinda Hai's strength is that it is unapologetic about its stupidity. And so, although it is for the most part simplistic in the socio-political statements it lays on thick, it is packed with so much action that it ends up being a fun, even if clichéd, Bollywood-and-Bond-style masala flick which, if you are looking closely enough, does make a subversive point or two."
A review on Hindustan Times said, "Tiger Zinda Hai does everything you thought it would do. From establishing India-Pakistan friendship to proving the secular credentials of our chief agent, you witness everything. The good thing is all this happens rapidly."
In his review for Filmfare, Rachit Gupta said, "It may look like a Hollywood action thriller, but at its heart, Tiger Zinda Hai is an unabashed masala movie. The excessive use of slow motion shots and the constant fall back to comedy keep reminding you, this film wasn't made in Hollywood. But the heady mixture of an international looking action film and the regular tropes of Hindi cinema make it a pleasing watch."
Film critics Rajeev Masand, Anupama Chopra, and Raja Sen are yet to give their verdict.
The critics may have mixed view but the trade is super bullish on Tiger.
Trade analyst Taran Adarsh is predicting a tsunami at the box-office while Komal Nahta said the film is 'off to a flying start.'
As expected, Tiger Zinda Hai off to a flying start.
— Komal Nahta (@KomalNahta) December 22, 2017
Director Ali Abbas Zafar delivers an eminently watchable film, no two opinions about it... Final word? #TigerZindaHai delivers what it promises: King-sized entertainment... Get ready for the Tsunami at the BO.
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) December 22, 2017
Film exhibitor Akshay Rathi shared a video from Raipur which revealed the inexplicable popularity of Salman and the way people line-up to watch his movies.
Everybody in #Raipur wants to watch the tiger roar! 😎 @rohan_m01@BeingSalmanKhan@yrf@aliabbaszafar#TigerZindaHaipic.twitter.com/9L4zIBH6DN
— Akshaye Rathi (@akshayerathi) December 22, 2017
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