Salman Khan, who is currently basking in the success of his hit Tiger3, has expressed his gratitude to the audience for making his movie the biggest-ever Diwali hit in the history of Hindi cinema.

It is reported by PinkVilla, the Dabangg star said, “Three Tiger films, three success stories. The Tiger franchise sits dearly in my heart, and I’m glad that it has also found its place in the hearts of the audience.”

The 57-year-old actor went on to say, “Tiger franchise is one of my most loved and is a legacy brand that will always make my filmography shine brighter.”

His initial Tiger movie exceeded his expectations by not only kickstarting a successful Tiger series but also laying the groundwork for the renowned YRF Spy Universe, known for consistently delivering successful films.

Salman further added “When I was doing Ek Tha Tiger, I had no idea that we would have a sequel, forget about the fact that we now have a threequel in Tiger 3! It’s now a franchise on its own entertaining audiences worldwide since 2012.”

The Sultan actor explained, “The proof of the success for any film or a franchise is in the success story it scripts.”

While expressing his gratitude he exclaimed, “I think the Tiger franchise has given audiences a desi spy like no other that people have showered heaps of love on. I have lived and breathed Tiger and I thank everyone for their warmth and appreciation for me and the films.”

For the unversed, Tiger 3, featuring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif, started well on Diwali but has been slow in box office earnings. 

The movie has gathered Rs 236 crore domestically, with a potential Rs 250 crore, but reaching Rs 300 crore seems highly unlikely.