Filmmaker Kabir Khan, who first worked with Salman Khan on the film Ek Tha Tiger, recalled what a big deal it was for him to sign on to the film, especially after knowing that it would feature his ex-partner Katrina Kaif. In an interview, Kabir said that the stars had broken up by then, and things between them weren’t entirely comfortable. But Katrina was his first choice, which meant that Salman agreeing to the project was a major casting coup.
Appearing on Mashable India’s Bombay Dream chat show, Kabir recalled meeting with Salman at his house in Mumbai, where they were also joined by Yash Raj Films head Aditya Chopra. “We were going back from Salman’s house, the day he’d finally said yes. Because Katrina had already been signed. If there’s one actor I’d call family in this industry, it’s Katrina. She’s extremely close to me, to Mini, to my kids. Now Vicky’s also somebody who’s such an integral part of our family. So, Katrina had already been signed. She was Zoya. And then we went to Salman,” he said.
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Kabir continued, “This was the stage where they’d broken up, so it wasn’t comfortable. I told him I want Katrina, and he knew my connection with Katrina. Adi and I were driving back from Galaxy Apartments to Yash Raj, and we were silent. We’d just cast Salman Khan for the first time, and for five or 10 minutes he was silent, then he says, ‘Yaar bahut badi casting hai (This is a major casting coup).’ Aditya Chopra saying this… And the next day we announced it.”
Ek Tha Tiger emerged as a major box office hit, and retroactively became the first instalment of YRF’s Spy Universe, which also includes War and Pathaan. Ek Tha Tiger had two direct sequels of its own – Tiger Zinda Hai and Tiger 3. Kabir Khan didn’t return to direct either of those films, although he collaborated with Salman again on the blockbuster Bajrangi Bhaijaan and the critical and commercial dud Tubelight. His next film is Chandu Champion, starring Kartik Aaryan.
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