Rating: 6.5/10 (Tiger Roars Back) 

Cast: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Sajjad Delfarooz, Paresh Rawal, Girish Karnad, Anant Vidhaat

Story-Screenplay-Dialogues-Direction: Ali Abbar Zafar

Producer: Aditya Chopra

Banner: Yash Raj Films

Salman Khan tasted a rare disaster in the form of Tubelight earlier this year during Eid. He's now back with the sequel to his blockbuster Ek Tha Tiger, reuniting with katrina Kaif. Directed by Sultan fame Ali Abbas Zafar, does the film have enough to give Salman a comeback blockbuster that his fan expect? Let's find out

Plot: When 40 nurses are captured and taken hostage by the fictional terrorist organization the ISC headed by Abu Usman (Sajjad Delfarooz), Tiger (Salman Khan) and his now wife (Zoya) travel to Iraq to rescue them in an impossible rescue mission.

Performances: Salman Khan is devilishly stylish and handsome as Tiger. The beard look suits him very well and he is superb in his 2nd outing as Tiger. He can fight wolves, take bullets, and even be immune to poison gas because, well he's Sallu Bhai. Tiger Zinda Hai is a feast for Bhai fans and the perfect comeback film for the superstar after Tubelight.

Katrina Kaif is ravishing and absolutely stunning in the film. She kicks some serious ass as Zoya and even has her own fight sequence in the 2nd half which is brilliantly executed. She goes for a deglam look in the 2nd half as well and it works out just fine.

Debutante Sajjad Delfarooz is perhaps the most good looking Bollywood villain ever and is superb as the villain Abu Usman. Though the characterization is a bit illogical as the character can speak English and hindi and doesn't speak Arabic to his henchman, he nevertheless makes the most of his screen time and role.

Girish Karnad and Anant Vidhaat do a sincere job as usual.

Paresh Rawal gets a role in a big film after a long time and plays his role to perfection and delivers the best one liners in the film.

The rest of the actors who make up the teams of Tiger and Zoya do a good job as well.

Direction: Ali Abbas Zafar proved his mettle in an emotionally action packed sport entertainer and extracted perhaps the best performance of Salman Khan ever in that film. He was a real talent to watch out for and now he has reunited with Salman Khan for an action film in Tiger Zinda Hai. It's safe to say he passes with flying colors and makes an entertaining action thriller with Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif delivering on all front. The movie is action packed but the length is perhaps too long. The story is based on true events and Zafar does a good job of executing the film. The only negative is perhaps the villains as it's obvious as to which group the film is influenced and the some of the things shown. The action sequences are excellent but there are some sequences that defy logic, but hey it is an action thriller similar to a James Bond flick and it's also a Salman Khan film. Overall, Ali Abbas Zafar does a brilliant job and he probably has another blockbuster on his hands here.

Technicalities: Music and BGM by Vishal-Shekar is very good. But the Tiger theme is played one too many times in the background score. Dil Diyan Gallan is the only song during the film. Swag Se Swagat is played during the end credits. Cinematography by Marcin Laksawiec is outstanding. The visuals of the UAE are just absolutely breathtaking especially some of the desert shots. Editing by Rameshwar S. Bhagat is ok. The film is a little too long for the action thriller genre. Action sequences are incredible. Tiger Zinda Hai is one film that has action on par with Hollywood films like Jason Bourne and James Bond. Artwork is superb for the ISC main base building and the rest of the sets. Production values by Yash Raj Films are phenomenal as usual.

Positives:

+ Salman Khan

+ Katrina Kaif

+Direction

+Action Sequences

Negatives:

- Length

- ISC Scenes

Analysis and Final Take: Tiger Zinda Hai is an out and out Salman Khan film. If you liked the first one, you are bound to like this one as well. the film starts off with the abduction of the nurses by the ISC and then Salman Khan is given an excellent introduction with a chase sequence featuring real wolves.

The film moves into a predictable mode with Tiger declining RAW's offer to take up the mission but of course everyone knows that he will go to Iraq and save everyone. The first half is engaging while the 2nd half is equally as engaging. The only negative would be the length as the film is too long and it could have been trimmed and a murder featuring the ISC group.

The film once again touches upon the theme that Indians and Pakistanis should be together and work for peace similar to Bajrangi Bhaijaan. Special mention should be made to Sajjad Delfarooz who is perhaps too good looking for his own good and has a bright future in Bollywood.

Though there are some illogical moments, Tiger Zinda Hai is pure fun and the perfect popcorn blockbuster during the Christmas season.

Overall, Salman Khan roars back to form in Tiger Zinda Hai and it's a Bhai film from start to finish with Katrina Kaif nicely supporting him. You can watch it for Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, and the action sequences. And of course, there's a shirtless Salman Khan scene in the 2nd half. Go for it. It's entertainment guaranteed.