Debut and breakthrough (2014–2020)
In 2012, Shroff was signed by producer Sajid Nadiadwala to make his film debut in Sabbir Khan's action romantic comedy Heropanti. To prepare for the role, he took flexibility training under Ziley Mawai. Released in 2014, Heropanti was a commercial success with a gross of ₹780 million (US$8.1 million) worldwide. He gained praise for his dancing skills, action sequences, physique and for the ability to perform stunts, but was also criticised for his acting, looks and dialogue delivery. Subhash K. Jha said that he "emotes, he dances and yes, he can fight". However, Sweta Kaushal of Hindustan Times disagreed, calling his "dialogues forced" and said "his expressions do nothing in a given situation". In spite of terming his performance "a little unconvincing", Kaushal called his action sequences "admirable" and said he's a "great dancer". Shroff's portrayal fetched him the Screen Award for Best Male Debut and the IIFA Award for Star Debut of the Year – Male in addition to a nomination in the same category at the 60th Filmfare Awards.
In 2016, Shroff reteamed with Nadiadwala and Sabbir in Baaghi (2016), set against the backdrop of a martial arts school while also featuring Shraddha Kapoor and Sudheer Babu. Earning ₹1.29 billion (US$13 million) in worldwide markets, Baaghi was also a success. That year he also played a martial arts teacher who gains superpowers, in Remo D'Souza's superhero film A Flying Jatt alongside Jacqueline Fernandez. In 2017, Shroff teamed with Sabbir for the third time in the dance film Munna Michael. Both A Flying Jatt and Munna Michael were unsuccessful at the box office.
In 2018, Shroff appeared in Ahmed Khan's Baaghi 2, a spiritual sequel to Baaghi, and the second instalment of the Baaghi Film Series opposite Disha Patani. Produced by Nadiadwala, the film featured him as a rebellious army officer set on the mission to find his ex-girlfriend's missing daughter. Baaghi 2 grossed ₹1.65 billion (US$17 million) net domestically in India and over ₹2.58 billion (US$27 million) worldwide to become one of the top-grossing Bollywood films of the year.
In 2019, Shroff appeared in Punit Malhotra's teen drama Student of the Year 2, his first mainstream romantic drama. Produced by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions, it was a standalone sequel to Student of the Year and saw Shroff portray a college student who competes in an annual school championship. Rajeev Masand of News18 called his performance "the film's singular strength". Ronak Kotecha, from The Times of India, agreed by saying "Tiger Shroff pretty much carries the film on his well-toned shoulders".
Later in 2019, Shroff starred in Siddharth Anand's action thriller War alongside Hrithik Roshan. The film was the highest-grossing Bollywood film of the year and ranks as Shroff's highest-grossing release. The worldwide collection for War was 4.76 billion Indian rupees (US$63 Million) and 3.18 billion Indian rupees nett domestically in India. War recorded a record-breaking opening collecting over ₹53.35 crore.
In 2020, he starred in the third instalment of the Baaghi film series titled Baaghi 3, where he reunited with Shraddha Kapoor. The collections of the films were affected as theatres were shut due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the film managed to earn 1.37 billion Indian Rupees worldwide.
