Border 2 Review – Border 2 finally marched into cinemas on 23 January 2026, carrying the heavy legacy of Border on its shoulders. Directed by Anurag Singh, the film positions itself as a large-scale, multi-front war epic set during the 1971 India-Pakistan war, expanding the battlefield from land to air and sea.
Backed by T-Series Films and J.P. Films, the sequel is unapologetically loud, emotional, and designed for big screens and mass audiences. Whether it matches the soul of the original is where opinions sharply divide.
Story and Setup
Unlike the original Border, which stayed grounded around Longewala, Border 2 widens its canvas. The film showcases combined operations of the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy, inspired by real war heroes and key battles such as Basantar, naval sacrifices, and aerial combat missions.
The narrative is not subtle. It leans heavily into patriotism, sacrifice, and brotherhood, often choosing emotion over nuance. This works brilliantly for audiences seeking a Republic Day adrenaline rush, but it also explains why critics felt the film struggles with originality.
Performances: Who Carries the War
Sunny Deol
Sunny Deol is the undisputed spine of Border 2. His presence, voice, and body language carry the film’s emotional weight. Multiple scenes rely solely on his intensity, and audiences are calling him the “soul of the film.” The last-act emotional moments involving his family have emerged as major tear-jerkers.
Diljit Dosanjh
Diljit’s portrayal of an Indian Air Force pilot has received near-universal praise from audiences. His limited screen time is impactful, particularly in aerial combat and emotional sequences. Critics feel the role deserved deeper exploration, but audiences strongly connected with him. You will also get to see Diljit’s natural humor in the film, and there’s little doubt that you’ll enjoy his comedy moments and lighthearted scenes.
Varun Dhawan
Varun Dhawan enters the film with skepticism following social media trolling during promotions. Post-release, opinions have softened. Many viewers now call this his most grounded performance, especially during the climax. Critics remain mixed, but he clearly surprised expectations.
Ahan Shetty
Ahan Shetty holds his ground as a naval officer. While not the standout, he brings sincerity and restraint, especially in naval battle sequences. His arc feels underwritten, but the performance itself is steady.
Supporting Cast
- Mona Singh delivers one of the film’s most emotionally devastating scenes
- Sonam Bajwa has limited screen time but leaves a dignified impact
- Anya Singh may have limited screen time in Border 2, but she leaves a calm and sincere impression. Her understated performance adds emotional depth without melodrama, subtly highlighting the human cost of war behind the uniform.
- Medha Rana delivers a strong and emotionally grounded performance in Border 2 despite limited screen time. She brings sincerity and quiet strength to her role, making her presence felt in key emotional moments without overpowering the narrative.
- Paramvir Cheema stands out among the soldiers with grounded performances.
Direction, Runtime, and Technical Aspects
Director Anurag Singh clearly aims for scale and spectacle. The war sequences are massive, and real military locations add authenticity. However, the 199-minute runtime is a common complaint.
What Works
- Climax battle sequences, especially Battle of Basantar
- Background score that amplifies emotion
- Use of real locations for army training and combat
What Doesn’t
- First half drags due to romantic tracks and wedding-style songs
- Some naval and sea combat VFX look unfinished
- Dialogues occasionally cross into over-the-top territory
Music and Nostalgia Factor
Reimagined versions of iconic songs like “Ghar Kab Aaoge” and “Jaate Hue Lamhon” play a major emotional role. While many viewers found them deeply moving, purists felt the recreations diluted the original magic.
The background score succeeds more consistently than the songs, especially during war sequences.
Box Office Performance (Early but Strong)
Border 2 has emerged as the biggest opener of 2026 so far, riding nostalgia and the Republic Day weekend.
India Box Office (Net)
| Day | Collection |
|---|---|
| Day 1 (Fri) | ₹30–32.10 crore |
| Day 2 (Sat) | ₹34–36 crore (early trends) |
| Total (2 Days) | ₹66–67 crore |
Worldwide Gross (Approx.)
- Day 1: ₹43.50 crore
- 2 Days: ₹90–92 crore
Advance bookings crossed ₹9–17 crore, and several theatres added midnight shows due to demand. Single-screen theatres in mass belts recorded houseful shows.
Reviews: Critics vs Audience
Critics
- Ratings mostly between 3 to 3.5 stars
- Praise performances and emotional highs
- Criticise length, VFX, and lack of innovation
Audience
- Strongly emotional and nostalgic
- Loud celebrations outside theatres
- Divided online but positive ground-level word of mouth
Controversies and Comparisons
- Banned in multiple Gulf countries due to perceived political content
- Constant comparison with Border (1997)
- Debate over recreated songs and heavy patriotism
- Compared with Dhurandhar for box office legs, though Border 2 opened bigger
Being Maverick Verdict
Border 2 is not a subtle war film, and it never pretends to be.
It is loud, emotional, patriotic, and designed for front-row audiences who want dialogue-driven heroism and large-scale war visuals.
It may not replace the timeless emotional realism of the original Border, but as a mass entertainer, it delivers exactly what it promises.
For critics, it is flawed.
For fans of patriotic cinema, it is a festival.
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