Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif to begin 'Tiger 3' shoot from July 23

Katrina Kaif and Salman Khan. Pic/Instagram

All has been quiet on the Tiger 3 front over the past three months as the film's shoot was abruptly halted in mid-April due to the second lockdown in the state. Soon, as per producer Aditya Chopra's instructions, the set at SRPF Grounds in Goregaon was dismantled after it was partially destroyed due to Cyclone Tauktae. Since then, Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif have been patiently awaiting their turn to return to the universe of the big-budget spy thriller. Now, it is learnt that Chopra has given the go-ahead, relieved in the knowledge that the entire crew has got at least the first dose of the vaccine. The team will resume work from July 23.

Director Maneesh Sharma has begun the prep for the two-week schedule that will be conducted at the Yash Raj Studios in Andheri. "Of the cast, only the leads will report to the set for the first few days. Maneesh sir wants to film a few dramatic sequences with them," reveals a trade source. Emraan Hashmi, who plays the antagonist to Khan's RAW officer Avinash Singh Rathore, will join his co-star in this leg to shoot a pivotal confrontation scene.

Emraan Hashmi and Maneesh Sharma

The makers have decided against reconstructing the set - a replica of a Middle-Eastern market - at the Goregaon ground even though a few portions remain to be filmed. The source adds, "With the situation improving, Aditya and Maneesh are keen to pursue their plan of an international schedule. The team is likely to head out of the country post August 15. While the destinations have yet to be locked, Europe and the Middle East form a part of the narrative. So, they thought it would be wiser to shoot the remaining portions at a market in Dubai."

Meanwhile, Khan wrapped up the shoot of 'Antim: The Final Truth' last week. Besides filming some talkie portions with Aayush Sharma at Film City and Byculla, he shot for a song with Pragya Jaiswal.