YRF Spy Universe, featuring Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan and Salman Khan’s Tiger, has been possible today thanks to Baba Siddique and his HEARTFELT gesture during his HISTORIC 2013 Iftaar party

By Fenil Seta -

January 16, 2023 - 4:44 PM IST

The release of Pathaan is barely a week away and not just fans, but even the industry and media are waiting for it with bated breath. There are far too many factors going in its favour. To begin with, it’s Shah Rukh Khan’s release after more than four years. It also features Deepika Padukone and John Abraham. Deepika’s hot avatar has already become a talking point. Siddharth Anand has directed it and he’s one of the hottest directors at present after delivering War (2019).

YRF Spy Universe, featuring Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan and Salman Khan’s Tiger, has been possible today thanks to Baba Siddique and his HEARTFELT gesture during his HISTORIC 2013 Iftaar party

And lastly, Pathaan seems exciting as it’s a part of the YRF (Yash Raj Films) spy universe. As per reports, superstar Salman Khan, reprising the role of Tiger, will make a massy special appearance in the movie. The makers have kept this aspect hidden from the trailers. But it’s an open secret that Salman features in the film and it has enhanced the excitement for the film. And that’s not all. In Tiger 3, which releases on Diwali, Shah Rukh Khan will make a special appearance as Pathaan.

Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan today are the best of friends and the way they always stand for each other is heartening. But more than a decade ago, this was not the case. An ugly fight had erupted between the two at Katrina Kaif’s birthday bash in 2008. Since then, they chose not to talk to each other or even cross paths. Their fight was much publicized and it even led to tensions among fans of Shah Rukh and Salman. This was a time when it seemed like a patch-up would never happen between the two.

But then came Baba Siddique and he successfully completed the mission impossible. At his Iftaar party on July 21, 2013, he invited Shah Rukh Khan as well as Salman Khan. As luck would have it, both happened to be at the party at the same time. Shah Rukh was seated when Salman was ushered in. The eyes of all the guests present were on these two actors. It was expected that yet again, they’d look through or ignore each other. Tension levels were high.

However, the unthinkable happened. Salman Khan tapped on Shah Rukh’s shoulder. Shah Rukh turned over, stood and hugged the fellow superstar. The onlookers were so moved and felt jubilant that they immediately clapped! Baba Siddique then posed with both the Khans and the image of the trio from the party achieved cult status.

Baba Siddique, who’s a veteran politician, also became a household name and an overnight celebrity. The fans and industry thanked him from the bottom of their hearts for helping the two patch up.

As a result, if the YRF Spy Universe has been possible today, it’s all thanks to Baba Siddique. Imagine if he had not hosted the Iftaari that fateful day or if Shah Rukh and Salman had not assembled at his party in 2013, there’s a possibility that perhaps, the actors might have not patched up and that their cold war would have continued even today. In such a scenario, there was no chance that Shah Rukh and Salman would have agreed to the idea of a spy universe.

Therefore, kudos to Baba Siddique. It’s thanks to his effort and his Iftaar party that today Bollywood is going to get revived (and how) with Pathaan and that fans will be treated with the massy appearance of Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan.

Also Read: Shah Rukh Khan and Shehnaaz Gill share a warm hug as they meet each other at Baba Siddique’s Iftaar party