From past blockbusters like Pathaan and War to the highly-anticipated Tiger 3, YRF’s Spy Universe has given the MCU a run for its money.
The YRF Spy Universe is about spy-themed action films showcasing fictional RAW agents. Yash Raj Films started the shared universe with the Tiger movie series and later established it by crossing over common plot elements, settings, cast, and characters from each film.
While Salman Khan’s Ek Tha Tiger (2012) and its sequel Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) were standalone films, it was Hrithik Roshan’s War (2019) that gave producer Aditya Chopra and director Siddharth Anand the idea to cross over all the RAW characters. Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan (2023) became the first film to have characters from both the Tiger franchise and War.
Here’s a list of all the films in the franchise (bottom to top) as well as the upcoming films in the cinematic universe. Check them out:
Tiger 3 (2023)
Directed by Maneesh Sharma, Tiger 3 follows the events of Ek Tha Tiger (2012), Tiger Zinda Hai (2017), War (2019), and Pathaan (2023). The film sees the return of Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, along with Emraan Hashmi as the antagonist.
The film sets its premise around a revenge-seeking terrorist who frames Tiger and Zoya as traitors, sending them on a life-threatening crusade to clear their names. The studios have slated Tiger 3 for release on November 12, 2023.
Pathaan (2023)
This Shah Rukh Khan starrer broke all records and became a blockbuster worldwide. Directed by Siddharth Anand, the film was released on January 25, 2023. It also starred Deepika Padukone and John Abraham alongside Dimple Kapadia and Ashutosh Rana.
The premise of Pathaan revolves around an exiled RAW agent. He works with ISI agent Rubina Mohsin to take down Jim, a former RAW agent, who plans to attack India with a deadly virus. A fourth instalment in the YRF Spy Universe, this film was the first to witness the crossover with Salman Khan’s Tiger making a cameo appearance.
War (2019)
Directed by Siddharth Anand, War was the third installment in the YRF Spy Universe. It had one ensemble cast of Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff and Vaani Kapoor in lead roles.
The film revolves around an Indian soldier assigned to eliminate his former mentor. However, he was to keep his wits about him if he were to be successful in his mission. When the two men collided, it resulted in a barrage of battles and bullets. The studios released War on October 2, 2019.
Tiger Zinda Hai (2017)
Ali Abbas Zafar directed Tiger Zinda Hai, the sequel to the first film in the YRF Spy Universe. The action thriller was based on the story by Zafar and Neelesh Misra. Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif reprised their roles.
The film took place after the events of Ek Tha Tiger in which Tiger and Zoya both came out of hiding to save the nurses held hostage by a terrorist organisation called ISC in Iraq. The studios released the film on December 22, 2017, and it performed really well at the box office.
Ek Tha Tiger (2012)
Directed by Kabir Khan, Ek Tha Tiger was the first film that gave a push to the YRF Spy Universe. The film starred Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif in the lead roles. Yash Raj Films released Ek Tha Tiger on August 15, 2022.
The film sets its premise around a RAW agent who is sent to Dublin to observe an Indian scientist suspected of sharing nuclear secrets with the ISI.
Upcoming films in YRF Spy Universe
As per recent reports, the two Khans of the industry – Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan – are gearing up for a collaboration. The two will begin filming for Tiger vs Pathaan after the release of their respective films, Tiger 3 and Dunki. In a recent interview, Salman Khan teased the same. He said, “Tiger is always ready – so whenever things are locked – I will be there.”
On the other hand, there have been reports about Hrithik Roshan’s War 2. The action-thriller will be the sixth film of the YRF Spy Universe and is likely also to star Jr NTR. The studios may release War 2 around Republic Day 2025, followed by Tiger vs. Pathaan in the same year.
Stream Pathaan, War, Tiger Zinda Hai and Ek Tha Tiger on Amazon Prime Video. Catch Tiger 3 in theatres from November 12, 2023.
