Tiger 3 (2023), directed by Maneesh Sharma and starring Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, and Emraan Hashmi. This is a fresh take, crafted with a critic’s eye, diving into the film’s bombast and blemishes without pulling punches.

Tiger 3 is the third installment in the Salman Khan-led Tiger franchise and a key cog in Yash Raj Films’ ambitious Spy Universe. It pits RAW agent Tiger (Salman Khan) and ISI operative Zoya (Katrina Kaif) against a new foe, Aatish (Emraan Hashmi), a rogue agent with a vendetta and a penchant for chaos. After the high-octane thrills of Ek Tha Tiger (2012) and Tiger Zinda Hai (2017), expectations were sky-high for this chapter to deliver bigger stakes and slicker action. Does it? Well, it tries—sometimes too hard—and ends up as a loud, uneven spectacle that’s equal parts thrilling and tiresome.

Salman Khan is back as Tiger, the indestructible patriot who growls his way through explosions and moral dilemmas. At 57, he’s still got the brawn and swagger, striding into frame like a one-man army with a national anthem blaring behind him. His entry—a slo-mo leap from a helicopter—is peak Bhai, engineered to make theaters erupt. But here’s the catch: while Salman’s star power is undeniable, his performance feels autopilot—same steely glare, same clenched fists, same “desh ke liye” fervor. It’s comfort food for fans, but it lacks the freshness that could’ve elevated this beyond franchise fatigue. Katrina Kaif, as Zoya, gets more to chew on—both emotionally and physically. Her action scenes, including a towel-clad fight in a Turkish hammam, are a standout, blending grace with grit. She’s the film’s MVP, proving she’s more than just Tiger’s sidekick.

Emraan Hashmi’s Aatish is the wildcard, and he’s a blast. With a salt-and-pepper beard and a sardonic smirk, he oozes menace, turning a potentially generic villain into a magnetic presence. His cat-and-mouse game with Tiger—framed as a personal betrayal—adds a layer of intrigue, though the script doesn’t dig deep enough into his motivations. The supporting cast, including Kumud Mishra and Revathy, is reliable but undercooked, while a mid-film cameo (no spoilers) injects a jolt of Spy Universe hype that’s more fun than functional.

The action is Tiger 3’s calling card, and it swings big. Maneesh Sharma, stepping in for Ali Abbas Zafar, orchestrates set pieces that are gloriously over-the-top: a bike chase through European streets, a missile-dodging helicopter duel, and a climax that’s basically a war movie on steroids. The scale is impressive, and Pritam’s pulsating score (with Tanuj Tiku pitching in) keeps the adrenaline pumping. But the choreography lacks finesse—too many cuts and shaky CGI (that bridge collapse looks like a video game) blunt the impact. It’s loud and relentless, yet rarely as gripping as Tiger Zinda Hai’s leaner thrills.

Where Tiger 3 stumbles hardest is its script, penned by Shridhar Raghavan. The plot—a convoluted mix of double-crosses, a stolen nuke, and Indo-Pak tension—feels like it’s trying to outdo every spy flick ever made, but it collapses under its own ambition. The pacing lags in the middle, bogged down by clunky exposition and patriotic sermons that hit you over the head instead of tugging at your heart. At 153 minutes, it’s tighter than some 2023 bloated epics, but it still drags, especially in a second half that prioritizes noise over narrative. The dialogues oscillate between cheesy zingers (“Tiger zinda hai, aur zinda rahega”) and awkward sincerity, rarely landing as clever or quotable.

Visually, the film is a below average. Aniruddha Jedhe’s cinematography captures the globe-trotting gloss—Dubai deserts, Russian snowscapes, Istanbul rooftops—but the VFX falter, with green-screen moments sticking out like sore thumbs. The songs, like “Leke Prabhu Ka Naam” and “Ruaan,” are catchy enough, though they feel shoehorned in, slowing the momentum. What Tiger 3 nails is its fan-service ethos—it’s a love letter to Salman’s larger-than-life persona, complete with shirtless flexing and slow-motion heroics.

So, what’s the verdict? Tiger 3 is neither roars nor bites. It’s got the star wattage, the explosions, and the Spy Universe Easter eggs which tries to keep the masses glued, but it lacks the soul or sharpness to stand tall next to its predecessors. I’d give it 2 out of 5 stars—a serviceable actioner that coasts on charisma and chaos, but leaves you wishing for more meat on its bones. It’s a misfire, a middling growl from a franchise that’s starting to show its age. Even for Bhai fans, it’s a noisy detour.