More than a decade after its release, Kabir Khan’s 2012 directorial Ek Tha Tiger, starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, has received a rare honour. The blockbuster has become the only Indian film to be showcased at the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC, United States. Produced by Aditya Chopra, the movie now finds its place alongside iconic global spy titles such as James Bond, Mission Impossible, and Men in Black.

 

The International Spy Museum features a section dedicated to legendary spy films and series, where posters of nearly 25 international titles are displayed. Among them are Casino Royale, Mission Impossible, Spy Game, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Seventeen Moments of Spring, OSS 117, G Men, The Imitation Game, Mr & Mrs Smith, Bridge of Spies, Homeland, Alias, Fauda, The Prisoner, Get Smart, Men in Black, The Siege, Turn: Washington’s Spies, and The Man from U.N.C.L.E.. Ek Tha Tiger now shares space with these acclaimed works.

 

Speaking about this recognition, director Kabir Khan revealed he was unaware of the inclusion until people who visited the museum informed him. “I started receiving messages from friends saying they saw the poster of Ek Tha Tiger there, and that it was the only Hindi film featured among all those international titles. It felt both surprising and delightful to see Salman and Katrina on that wall,” he said. Kabir added that he believes the film was added fairly recently, since the first messages reached him only a few months back.

 

Reflecting on the journey of the film, Kabir mentioned that Ek Tha Tiger developed its own identity over the years and still receives appreciation from audiences. He explained that the film relied on raw, authentic action rather than heavy VFX, which he feels connects more strongly with viewers. “Excessive dependence on visual effects can sometimes reduce the impact, while real action carries its own intensity,” he shared.