Salman Khan’s Ek Tha Tiger Receives International Honour as the Only Hindi Film Featured at Washington DC’s International Spy Museum; Director Kabir Khan Reacts

Ziya Khan September 8, 2025Last Updated: September 8, 2025

Few moments evoke greater pride than witnessing a slice of India showcased on a global stage—an experience this writer recently had at the prestigious International Spy Museum in Washington DC, USA. In a special section dedicated to iconic spy films and series, around 25 internationally acclaimed titles have been honoured. Among these, Ek Tha Tiger, starring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, stands out as the only Hindi film to be featured on this coveted wall of fame—a remarkable achievement considering the vast array of spy films worldwide. For Yash Raj Films’ action entertainer to earn this distinction is truly extraordinary.

Other notable titles showcased alongside Ek Tha Tiger include Casino Royale, Mission Impossible, Spy Game, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Seventeen Moments of Spring, OSS 117, The Imitation Game, Mr & Mrs Smith, Bridge of Spies, Homeland, Alias, Fauda, Get Smart, Men In Black, and many more.

Bollywood Hungama spoke exclusively with Ek Tha Tiger’s director Kabir Khan about this prestigious honour. He shared, “I wasn’t aware of this until people who visited the museum messaged me saying, ‘We saw the poster of Ek Tha Tiger—the only Hindi film among this galaxy of films.’ I found it very amusing and was thrilled to see Salman and Katrina’s faces on that wall!”Kabir reflected on the film’s enduring appeal: “Some films take on a life of their own as years pass.

Ek Tha Tiger is one such film, especially as it became part of the Spyverse created by Yash Raj. Being the first film in that universe gives it a special status. I still receive numerous messages appreciating what we did back then. Those were days when action relied less on VFX and more on raw, real, gritty sequences. As a filmmaker and viewer, there’s a difference—you connect more with authentic action rather than heavy VFX.

”He also noted another key factor behind the film’s success: “It was the first major Bollywood film to spotlight the spy genre with stars like Salman and Katrina, which helped immensely.”Asked about when he first heard of this recognition, Kabir replied, “It must be a recent addition. The first message I received about it was just a few months ago.”