Salman Khan's Ek Tha Tiger becomes FIRST Indian film to enter International Spy Museum

More than a decade after it stormed the box office, Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif’s 2012 action thriller Ek Tha Tiger has achieved a rare milestone. Directed by Kabir Khan and produced by Aditya Chopra under Yash Raj Films, the movie is now part of the prestigious International Spy Museum in Washington, DC, making it the only Indian entry in a showcase otherwise dominated by Hollywood giants like James Bond, Mission Impossible, and Men in Black.

Recognised Among World Classics

The museum dedicates an entire gallery to the most influential spy films and television series. Posters of around 25 titles line the walls, from Casino Royale and Spy Game to Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Mr & Mrs Smith, Homeland, Bridge of Spies, and Fauda. Nestled among them is now Ek Tha Tiger, a Bollywood production that managed to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with international icons of the genre.

At International Spy Museum, Washington DC, @BeingSalmanKhan's #EkThaTiger is the ONLY Indian film listed alongside other famous spy films pic.twitter.com/letEZ2MfXX

— Fenil Seta (@fenil_seta) August 21, 2025

Kabir Khan on the Surprise Honour

Kabir Khan confessed that he learned of this distinction only after friends visited the museum.

“They messaged me- We saw the poster of Ek Tha Tiger and it’s the only Hindi film there in the whole galaxy of films. I found it very amusing and it was great to see Salman and Katrina’s faces on that wall!” he shared, adding that he began receiving such messages only a few months ago.

For the filmmaker, the recognition also highlights the film’s enduring appeal. “Over the years, Ek Tha Tiger has taken a life of its own. I still get so many messages from audiences. Back then, we weren’t leaning on VFX for action- it was raw and gritty. I feel that kind of realism connects differently than over-reliance on computer effects,” he explained.

The Spy Universe Born from Ek Tha Tiger

What began with Ek Tha Tiger has since grown into YRF’s celebrated Spy Universe, Bollywood’s most successful action franchise. The story continued with Tiger Zinda Hai (2017), followed by the sleek Hrithik Roshan–Tiger Shroff starrer War (2019). Shah Rukh Khan’s grand comeback Pathaan (2023), alongside Deepika Padukone and John Abraham, expanded the saga even further.

Later chapters included Tiger 3 (2023), featuring Salman and Katrina opposite Emraan Hashmi, and War 2 (2024), which introduced Jr NTR and Kiara Advani to the fold. Now, the universe is set to take a bold step with Alpha, the franchise’s first female-led spy film headlined by Alia Bhatt, co-starring Sharvari Wagh and Bobby Deol. With each addition, YRF is steadily crafting India’s very own global spy-action legacy.