All plans are going full-throttle for the launch of the third film in Salman Khan-Yashraj Films’ ‘Tiger’ franchise. The film is expected to be launched in mid-year around July. While the first Tiger film(Ek Tha Tiger) was directed by Kabir Khan, the second (Tiger Zinda Hai) was helmed by Ali Abbas Zafar.

Now the third Tiger film will be directed byManeesh Sharma of Band Baja Baaraat fame. It is understood that in order to preserve freshness in the Franchise there was a suggestion from among the Tiger team to change the leading lady.

Says a source, “After two Tiger films, Katrina Kaif was likely to replaced. If you see, most of the franchise films in India retain the hero but keep changing the heroine. However Salman put his foot down and insisted on Katrina for Tiger 3.”

Earlier when the cast for Kick 2 was being locked in there was talk of replacing Jacqueline Fernandez. But there again Salman put his foot down.