Mumbai: Actor Tiger Shroff once joked that there was only one true Tiger in Bollywood and that the title belonged to superstar Salman Khan. During the launch of the song DaFa Kar from his 2022 film Heropanti 2, Tiger described himself as a cat and compared himself to Simba, a tiger cub, when speaking about the senior actor.
The light-hearted remark has resurfaced following the firing incident involving Tiger Shroff’s car in Mumbai’s Juhu area on October 18. The actor escaped unhurt, while his driver and a fan were reportedly injured. Mumbai Police have arrested six men in connection with the case and are investigating an alleged wider conspiracy involving threats against Salman Khan and people associated with him.
At the 2022 song launch, Tiger was asked about Salman’s association with the name Tiger. Responding with admiration, he said, “There is only one Tiger in this industry, and that is Salman sir. I am just a cat in front of him. I am Simba, a tiger cub, in front of him.”
The comment reflected Tiger’s respect for Salman, whose action-hero image and long-standing popularity have made him one of Hindi cinema’s most recognisable stars. Although Tiger Shroff has established his own identity through action films, dance performances and fitness, he was happy to give Salman the title when the comparison came up.
Why Salman Khan is known as Tiger
Salman Khan’s association with the name Tiger comes primarily from his role as Indian intelligence agent Avinash Singh Rathore in the Tiger film franchise.
The actor first played the character in Ek Tha Tiger, released in 2012. The film introduced audiences to the fictional agent, known by the codename Tiger, and combined espionage, romance and action.
Salman returned as the character in Tiger Zinda Hai in 2017 and Tiger 3 in 2023. Across the films, the character became one of the actor’s prominent screen identities, supported by large-scale action sequences and international settings.
The franchise also helped establish Tiger as a name closely associated with Salman in popular culture. His physical screen presence and action-oriented roles further reinforced that image.
Tiger Shroff, meanwhile, has developed a separate identity in the industry. Known for his martial arts skills, dance routines and physically demanding action sequences, he has frequently been associated with films that place a strong emphasis on stunts and choreography.
Despite the similarity in their screen images and the shared nickname, Tiger’s 2022 comment made it clear that he viewed Salman as the senior star who had made the name particularly memorable in Bollywood.
Salman Khan once credited Tiger Shroff for inspiring him
The admiration between the two actors has not been one-sided. Salman has also spoken about the younger generation of performers, including Tiger Shroff, and how they encouraged him to continue working on his fitness and physical performance.
In 2021, Salman named Tiger among the younger actors who inspired him to keep pushing himself as he approached his 60s.
“I realised that only when you put in your sweat and blood and give it your best will your audience understand and appreciate your hard work. So now, at 55-56, I am doing things that I used to do when I was 14 or 15 years old. It is because my younger generation is Tiger Shroff,” Salman said.
His remarks highlighted the influence that younger performers can have on established stars in an industry where physical preparation and action choreography often play an important role.
Tiger’s career has been closely associated with demanding dance routines, martial arts and action scenes. His on-screen style has helped him build a following among audiences who enjoy action-driven commercial films.
Salman’s comments also reflected the importance of maintaining physical discipline for performers who continue to undertake action roles as they grow older.
What happened in the firing incident involving Tiger Shroff?
The resurfacing of Tiger’s earlier remark comes amid a police investigation into the firing incident involving his car in Mumbai.
According to the reports, the incident occurred on October 18 when Tiger was returning home after a football match. Police allege that three men — identified as Rehan, Phool Singh and Ritik — fired at his car while travelling on two motorcycles.
The three men were arrested in Kota, Rajasthan, and subsequently handed over to Mumbai Police. Tiger escaped unhurt, while his driver and a fan were reported to have sustained injuries.
Investigators have also arrested three other men, identified as Sameer, Jatin and Ankit Khatak, in Sonipat, Haryana. They are accused of helping plan or facilitate the attack, including activities related to reconnaissance and arranging a weapon.
The allegations remain part of the ongoing investigation, and the accused are entitled to due process.
Police investigate alleged planning and links to threats
According to reports on the case, a Mumbai court remanded the three men arrested in Sonipat to police custody until October 28. Investigators told the court that Ankit had allegedly travelled to Mumbai to conduct reconnaissance before the shooting.
Police have also alleged that Sameer was in contact with US-based gangster Anil Pandit, while Jatin Panchal was accused of arranging the weapon used in the attack.
Investigators are examining CCTV footage, hotel records and other evidence as they attempt to establish how the incident was planned and carried out.
Police are also looking into an alleged practice-firing session at a location in Mumbai’s Aarey Colony on October 17, a day before the attack. The findings from the investigation are expected to help authorities determine the roles of the individuals arrested and whether others were involved.
Following the shooting, Pandit reportedly claimed responsibility and issued threats against Salman Khan and people working with him. Reports have described Pandit as an associate of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
The reported threats have added another dimension to the investigation, with police examining whether the incident involving Tiger Shroff is connected to a wider pattern of intimidation. Any such links remain subject to the findings of the investigation.
Tiger Shroff’s old remark returns to the spotlight
Tiger Shroff’s 2022 comment was originally a playful expression of admiration for Salman Khan. His description of himself as a cat and Simba, a tiger cub, underlined the respect he had for the senior actor and the latter’s screen persona.
The remark is now attracting renewed attention because of the recent firing incident and reports of threats involving Salman and people associated with him.
While the two actors have built distinct careers, their public comments have reflected mutual recognition of each other’s work. Salman has acknowledged Tiger’s influence on his own approach to physical preparation, while Tiger has openly credited Salman as Bollywood’s real Tiger.
As the police investigation continues, the focus remains on establishing the facts surrounding the shooting, the alleged roles of those arrested and any possible connections to reported threats.