Actor Tiger Shroff once joked that Bollywood has only one true Tiger: superstar Salman Khan. At a song launch in 2022, Shroff called himself a cat and described himself as Simba, a tiger cub, in comparison with the veteran actor.The remark has resurfaced after shots were fired at Shroff’s car near Pushpa Narsee Park in Mumbai’s Juhu on October 18.
Shroff escaped unhurt, but his driver and a fan were injured. Police have arrested six men and are investigating a wider conspiracy involving alleged threats against Salman and people associated with him.At the launch of DaFa Kar, a song from his 2022 film Heropanti 2, Shroff 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 playful response also reflected Shroff’s admiration for Salman.
Shroff has built his own image around fitness, dance and action sequences, but was happy to take a step back when comparing himself with Salman. Salman’s association with the name Tiger extends beyond his screen presence.
He played Indian intelligence agent Avinash Singh Rathore, better known as Tiger, in Ek Tha Tiger in 2012. He reprised the role in Tiger Zinda Hai in 2017 and Tiger 3 in 2023.The franchise made Tiger one of Salman’s most recognisable screen identities.
His action-hero image, physical presence and popularity also helped the nickname stick. When Shroff was asked about sharing the title with Salman, he readily gave the senior actor the crown.Salman Khan’s praise for Tiger Shroff The respect has gone both ways.
In 2021, Salman named Shroff 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.Arrests after firing on Shroff’s carThe firing took place when Shroff was returning home after a football match. Police allege that Rehan, Phool Singh and Ritik fired at his car while riding two motorcycles.
The three were arrested in Kota, Rajasthan, and handed over to Mumbai Police.Three other men, identified as Sameer, Jatin and Ankit Khatak, were arrested in Sonipat, Haryana, for allegedly helping to plan and facilitate the attack. Police suspect that they were involved in reconnaissance and arranging weapons.A Mumbai court remanded the three men arrested in Sonipat in police custody until October 28.
Investigators told the court that Ankit had allegedly travelled to Mumbai to conduct reconnaissance. Sameer was allegedly in contact with US-based gangster Anil Pandit, while Jatin Panchal was accused of arranging the weapon used in the shooting.Police are examining CCTV footage, hotel records and evidence from a location in Mumbai’s Aarey Colony.
The accused allegedly practised firing there on October 17, a day before the attack.After the shooting, Pandit, who is an associate of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, reportedly claimed responsibility and threatened Salman and people working with him.- Ends