Did YRF shelve Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan’s much-awaited Tiger Vs Pathaan?

Yash Raj Films built one of Bollywood’s most successful action franchises with its ambitious Spy Universe - an interconnected saga revolving around elite RAW agents like Tiger, Kabir and Pathaan. The momentum began with Salman Khan's Ek Tha Tiger in 2012 and soared to new heights with Shah Rukh Khan's Pathaan in 2023. High-stakes missions, slick action, and surprise crossovers became its hallmark.

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Yet, the lukewarm box-office performance of Hrithik Roshan-Jr NTR's War 2 has reportedly led to serious introspection within the studio about the franchise’s financial sustainability.

The Dream Face-Off That Sparked Frenzy

Following the record-breaking run of Pathaan in 2023, buzz intensified about a mega crossover - Tiger Vs Pathaan. Backed by producer Aditya Chopra and expected to be directed by Siddharth Anand, the film promised to unite Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan and Salman Khan’s Tiger in what was envisioned as a historic cinematic showdown.

However, recent developments suggest the project may no longer be moving ahead.

The Financial Hurdle

According to a Deccan Chronicle report, the much-hyped crossover currently stands scrapped. Escalating production demands reportedly pushed the overall budget to unmanageable levels.

Adding to the strain were the "astronomical" fees of the leading stars. Reports indicate that both Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan were seeking remuneration exceeding ₹100 crore each, along with substantial profit-sharing agreements - factors that significantly inflated the financial blueprint.

An informed source was quoted by the portal as saying, “If both the Khans had agreed to take a discount, Tiger Vs Pathaan could have been possible despite Yash Raj’s War 2 flopping. But the budgets being what they are, thanks mainly to star fees, the Spy Universe seems to have come up against a wall.”

From “Reimagined” to Unviable

Earlier reports in 2025 suggested the film was being "reimagined" or "paused" to avoid formula fatigue. The latest updates, however, claim the venture is no longer financially practical.

Meanwhile, YRF is believed to be recalibrating its slate, turning attention toward projects like Dhoom 4 - rumoured to star Ranbir Kapoor - alongside Spy Universe expansions such as Alpha and Pathaan 2.

Industry insiders also point to a broader reassessment of the "spy universe formula" after mixed responses to some recent big-budget spectacles.

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A Closed Chapter - Or A Future Revival?

Despite the shelving chatter, some insiders believe Aditya Chopra could still revive the crossover someday - perhaps with a reworked script or tighter financial planning.

For now, though, fans must await official confirmation from the makers to know whether Bollywood’s most anticipated clash has truly been called off.