Yash Raj Films ropes in Sultan director for Ek Tha Tiger sequel

After Dhoom (2004), Yash Raj Films appears set to make a franchise out of its 2012 blockbuster, Ek Tha Tiger. In an official statement, the makers have announced the sequel of the film, titled Tiger Zinda Hai. It will reprise the cast of Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif. 

But this one won't be helmed by Kabir Khan, for reasons that have not yet been revealed. The baton has been handed over to Ali Abbas Zafar, who is fresh from the success of Sultan.

This will be the second joint venture between the actor, director and the production house after that film. Zafar’s other two films – Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (2011) and Gunday (2014) – were also made under the same banner.

Ek Tha Tiger saw Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif play RAW and ISI agents, respectively. Their roles will be repeated in Tiger Zinda Hai, as is evident from the poster, which has just been released. But it is not known whether the film will continue from where the first part ended. 

Shooting for the film will begin in March next year and, in a deviation from Khan's normal Eid route, the film is scheduled to be released in the Christmas weekend of 2017.