The latest addition to Yash Raj Films’ Spy Universe, Tiger 3, starring Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif and Emraan Hashmi, released on Diwali Sunday instead of the usual Friday. It was a gamble since the Hindu holiday usually sees fewer footfalls for cinemas, but with Tiger 3, the strategy has reaped big rewards. Khan and Kaif’s film has had the biggest first day collection for a Diwali release.
According to Sacnilk Entertainment, Tiger 3 made Rs. 44.50 crore across all languages on Sunday. Despite slow movement on advance bookings, the final collection is more than Gadar 2’s showing on its first day, which made approximately Rs. 40 crore. The numbers are less than what this year’s other two pan-India blockbusters, Jawan and Pathaan, made (approximately Rs. 75 crore, and Rs. 57 crore respectively), however it is the biggest opening day ever for Salman Khan. Box Office India reported that domestically, the south and east sectors contributed as much as 40% of Tiger 3’s first-day earnings, which is unusual for a Hindi film.
Tiger 3 takes place after the events of War (2019) and Pathaan (2023), and also has appearances by Hrithik Roshan and Shah Rukh Khan. The film has performed better than both Khan’s and Kaif’s previous movies, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (2023) and Phone Bhoot (2022), both of which had poor lifetime collections. Kaif has another release slated this year - Sriram Raghavan’s Merry Christmas (2023), which is expected in mid-December.