YRF Spy Universe is an Indian media franchise and shared universe centered on a series of spy action films, which feature various fictional R&AW agents. The first three films in the universe - Ek Tha Tiger (2012), Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) and War (2019) - were released as standalone films before the universe was established through Pathaan (2023) after the success of War. The franchise also includes comic books, graphic novels and video games. The films are created, produced and distributed by Yash Raj Films.
Overview The first film Ek Tha Tiger (2012) directed by Kabir Khan was centered on a fictional RAW agent named Avinash Singh Rathore alias Tiger played by Salman Khan. This was followed by its sequels Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) directed by Ali Abbas Zafar and the fifth film in the universe Tiger 3 (2023) directed by Maneesh Sharma. The third film War (2019) directed by Siddharth Anand, starring Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff was released as a standalone film with no connection to the Tiger films. The universe was created when Aditya Chopra and Siddharth Anand decided to connect the three films and create a shared universe through crossovers with characters and connecting plot lines. The fourth installment Pathaan (2023), also directed by Anand, starring Shah Rukh Khan, was the first film in the universe to feature characters from the previous films. The sixth installment War 2 (2025), directed by Ayan Mukerji, continues the storyline established in War.
Films Released films TitleRelease dateDirectorProducerScreenwriter(s)15 August 2012Kabir KhanAditya ChopraKabir KhanNeelesh MisraAditya Chopra Tiger Zinda Hai22 December 2017Ali Abbas ZafarAli Abbas ZafarNeelesh Misra War2 October 2019Siddharth AnandShridhar RaghavanSiddharth AnandAditya ChopraAbbas TyrewalaPathaan25 January 2023Shridhar RaghavanSiddharth AnandAbbas TyrewalaTiger 312 November 2023 Maneesh SharmaShridhar RaghavanAditya ChopraAnckur ChaudhryWar 214 August 2025 Ayan MukerjiShridhar RaghavanAditya ChopraAbbas TyrewalaAlpha3 July 2026 Shiv RawailSoumil ShuklaShridhar RaghavanUday ChopraIshita Moitra
Ek Tha Tiger (2012)
RAW agent Avinash "Tiger" Singh Rathore, is sent to Dublin to observe an Indian scientist who is suspected of sharing nuclear secrets with the ISI. He meets and falls for his caretaker Zoya Nazar, a girl with a dark past.
Ek Tha Tiger is the first instalment of the shared universe and was released on 15 August 2012 worldwide. The film earned ₹325 crore worldwide against a budget of ₹75 crore, becoming one of the highest-grossing Bollywood films by international gross.
Tiger Zinda Hai (2017)
Tiger and Zoya rejoin forces with RAW and ISI in order to rescue a group of nurses, who are held hostage by ISC, an Iraqi terrorist organisation headed by Abu Usman.
Tiger Zinda Hai is the second instalment of the shared universe, and is based on true incidents that happened in 2014 the abduction of Indian nurses by ISIL. Tiger Zinda Hai was released on 22 December 2017 and made a new non-holiday record in India as it collected 34.1crore nett on its first day. It went on to collect ₹35.30 crores gross on the second day. The film recorded the second-highest day of all time. It netted Rs 154 crore in its first four days in India. The film grossed 565crore worldwide becoming one of the highest-grossing Indian film. At the 63rd Filmfare Awards, it won for Best Action.
War (2019)
Major Kabir Dhaliwal, a former soldier and a skilled agent, goes rogue after a mission to catch a terrorist named Rizwan Ilyasi goes awry. However, his boss sends Khalid, another soldier and Kabir's student to track him down.
War is the third installment of the shared universe, which was commissioned after the success of the previous films, and was directed by Siddharth Anand, starring Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff and Vaani Kapoor in lead roles. It was released on 2 October 2019, coinciding with the Gandhi Jayanti. Proving to be similarly successful to the first entry in the series, the film emerged as a huge box office success, becoming the highest-grossing Bollywood film of 2019 and one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time.
Pathaan (2023)
Pathaan, an exiled RAW agent is assigned to take down Jim, a former RAW agent-turned-leader of "Outfit X", a private terror organization that is planning to spread a deadly lab-generated virus dubbed "Raktbeej" across India.
Pathaan is the fourth installment in the shared universe directed by Siddharth Anand, and the first spy universe film to feature a mid-credits scene. The film stars Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and John Abraham in the lead roles. Salman Khan reprises his role as Avinash "Tiger" Singh Rathore in a cameo appearance. It was made on a budget of 250 crore, and was a major commercial success, making it the highest-grossing film in the universe.
Tiger 3 (2023)
Tiger and Zoya must go on a life-threatening crusade to clear their names after they are framed as traitors by Aatish Rehman, an ex-ISI agent turned terrorist with a personal vendetta against Tiger.
Tiger 3 is the fifth installment of the shared universe and sequel to Tiger Zinda Hai. It features Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, reprising their eponymous roles of Tiger and Zoya, with Emraan Hashmi playing the antagonist. Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan reprise their roles as Pathaan and Major Kabir Dhaliwal in cameo appearances. The film was directed by Maneesh Sharma. The music was composed by Pritam, with lyrics written by Irshad Kamil and Amitabh Bhattacharya. It was made on a budget on 300 crore, making it the second most expensive film in the universe, behind War 2.
War 2 (2025)
Kabir Dhaliwal, a former RAW agent, who, after going rogue, becomes a major threat to national security, and a special units officer, Vikram Chelapathi, is assigned to neutralize him.
War 2 is the sixth installment of the shared universe and sequel to War. The film stars Hrithik Roshan, who reprises his role, with N. T. Rama Rao Jr, Kiara Advani and Anil Kapoor with Bobby Deol in a cameo appearance. Principal photography commenced in October 2023. The film was directed by Ayan Mukerji, replacing Siddharth Anand. Made on a budget of 400 crore, it is the most expensive film in the universe. It was theatrically released worldwide on 14 August 2025.
Alpha (2026)
Sita, a highly trained assassin raised in isolation as a super-soldier by rogue commander Fateh Singh Lakhawat, she discovers the dark truth about her family and her stolen childhood. She teams up with her long lost sister Durga to take down her creator and his illicit military program.
The seventh installment of the shared universe and first female-led film in the universe was announced in July 2024, titled Alpha. Directed by Shiv Rawail, the film stars Alia Bhatt, Sharvari, Bobby Deol and Anil Kapoor, with Hrithik Roshan reprising his role as Kabir in a cameo appearance. Principal photography commenced in July 2024. It was initially scheduled for release on 25 December 2025 but was postponed to 17 April 2026 for post-production work. Alpha was postponed again due to the Salman Khan-starrer Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace taking its second release date, though the latter would also be deferred from that release date due to production delays.https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/salman-khans-galwan-film-renamed-as-maatrubhumi-release-date-and-title-controversy-explained/articleshow/129604389.cms?from=mdrhttps://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/salman-khans-maatrubhumi-to-miss-april-17-date-now-eyeing-august-release-11328789 The film was theatrically released on 3 July 2026.
Upcoming films TitleRelease dateDirectorProducerScreenwriter(s)StatusPathaan 2Aditya ChopraIn development
Pathaan 2 The eighth installment of the shared universe and sequel to Pathaan was announced in February 2024. Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone will reprise their roles as Pathaan and Rubai.
Tiger vs Pathaan In 2021, Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan were rumored to star together for a film. In December 2021, Salman Khan confirmed the rumors. In April 2023, the ninth installment of the shared universe Tiger vs Pathaan was announced. The project was reported to be directed by Siddharth Anand. However, later in February 2026 the project was eventually shelved due to budget constraints.
Cast + Character(s) Actor Films Ek Tha Tiger(2012) Tiger Zinda Hai(2017) War(2019) Pathaan(2023) Tiger 3(2023) War 2(2025) Alpha(2026) Avinash "Tiger" Singh Rathore Salman KhanMain GuestMain colspan=2 Kabir Dhaliwal Hrithik Roshan colspan=2 Main GuestMainGuestPathaan Shah Rukh Khan colspan=3 MainGuest colspan=2 Vikram "Raghu" ChelapathiN. T. Rama Rao Jr. colspan=5 Main Zoya Nazar Katrina KaifMain colspan="2" Main colspan="2" Naina SahniVaani Kapoor colspan="2" Main colspan="2" Flashback Rubai MohsinDeepika Padukone colspan="3" Main colspan="3" Kavya Luthra Kiara Advani colspan="5" Main SitaAlia Bhatt colspan="6" Main Durga KaulSharvari Wagh colspan="6" MainKhalid Rahmani / Saurabh Tiger Shroff colspan="2" Main colspan="2" Flashback JimJohn Abraham colspan="3" Main colspan="3" Aatish RehmanEmraan Hashmi colspan="4" Main colspan="2" Fateh Singh Lakhawat / Zarrar KhanBobby Deol colspan=5 GuestMain Vikrant KaulAnil Kapoor colspan=5 MainAjit ShenoyGirish KarnadSupporting colspan=5 Sunil LuthraAshutosh Rana colspan=2 SupportingGuestSupporting Nandini GrewalDimple Kapadia colspan=3 Supporting colspan=3 Maithili MenonRevathi colspan=4 Supporting colspan=2 Nasreen IraniSimran colspan=4 Supporting colspan=2 Gopi Arya Ranvir ShoreySupporting colspan=3 Supporting colspan=2 Firdaus Paresh Rawal Supporting colspan=5 Abrar SheikhGavie ChahalSupporting colspan=2 Supporting colspan=2 Rakesh Kumud Mishra Supporting colspan=2 Supporting colspan=2 Karan RaoAnant Vidhaat Sharma Supporting colspan=2 Supporting colspan=2 NikhilChandrachoor Rai colspan=4 Supporting colspan=2 Javed BaigDanish Bhat Supporting colspan=2 Supporting colspan=2 Azaan AkbarParesh Pahuja Supporting colspan=2 Flashback colspan=2 Namit KhannaAngad Bedi Supporting colspan=2 Flashback colspan=2 Poorna Anupriya Goenka Supporting colspan=5 Aditi Nahta colspan=2 Supporting colspan=4 Shweta Bajaj Ekta Kaul colspan=3 Supporting colspan=3 RazaShaji Choudhary colspan=3 Supporting colspan=3 Joseph MathewsDiganta Hazarika colspan=3 Supporting colspan=3 Rishi AryaViraf Patel colspan=3 Supporting colspan=3 AmolAakash Bhatija colspan=3 Supporting colspan=3 Nafisa RahmaniSoni Razdan colspan=2 Supporting colspan=2 Guest Hassan Ali Jineet Rath Supporting colspan=2 Flashback colspan=2 Vishal Jethwa colspan=4 Supporting colspan=2 Junior Sartaaj Kakkar Supporting colspan=2 Supporting colspan=2 Abu UsmanSajjad Delafrooz Supporting colspan=5 Gautam GulatiK. C. Shankar colspan=5 Supporting Vilasrao SarangVarun Badola colspan=5 Supporting KaranKaran Kishore colspan=5 Supporting Imroz Imroz Maur colspan=5 Supporting Ruhi SahniDishita Sehgal colspan="2" Supporting colspan="4" Arista Mehta colspan="5" Supporting Janaki KaulDia Mirza colspan="6" SupportingJohn VergheseDibyendu Bhattacharya colspan="6" SupportingBhupen RawatSangay Tsheltrim colspan="6" Supporting
Characters
Tiger
Avinash Singh Rathore, known by his codename Tiger, is a RAW agent, portrayed by Salman Khan. The character is first introduced in Ek Tha Tiger, and is reprised in the sequels Tiger Zinda Hai and Tiger 3. Tiger is married to Zoya, another spy, and they have a son named Junior. He also makes a notable appearance in Pathaan (2023). Tiger is one of the three main agents in the universe, alongside Pathaan and Kabir.
Zoya