Border 2 Movie Release and Review Live: Suniel Shetty reflects on film's legacy

Border 2 is set for a blockbuster opening during the Republic Day weekend. The film's strong advance sales and patriotic theme promise major box office success despite overseas bans.

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As Border 2 releases in theatres, Suniel Shetty shared a personal note on the franchise. The actor, who played a pivotal role in the original 1997 film, described how the story has evolved into something deeply meaningful for him over the years.

Check out his post here.

Early audience reactions to Border 2 have been largely positive, with viewers praising Sunny Deol and Varun Dhawan, along with the film’s music and dialogues.

Border 2’s early morning shows were cancelled on release day due to a delay in content delivery. A senior trade insider told Hindustan Times, “Border 2 content was delivered only by Thursday midnight… given the current status, morning shows look very difficult.”

According to the report, a WhatsApp message from UFO Moviez stated that the download began at 6.30 am on Friday. Given the film’s 192-minute runtime, the process could take three to four hours for the content to be fully downloaded and readied for screening. This led to the cancellation of 8 am and 9 am shows in some regions. However, exhibitors remain confident of commencing screenings from 10 am onwards across India.

Afghanistan cricketer Rashid Khan shared his eagerness to watch Border 2. In an Instagram clip, he is seen roasting corn over a roadside coal fire, with the film’s song Ghar Kab Aaoge playing in the background. Sharing the video, Rashid wrote, “Border 2 toh main zaroor dekhunga (I will surely watch Border 2).”

Border 2 actor Paramvir Singh Cheema spoke to ANI about the film and said, “When I heard the name Border, I obviously liked it as it's a big film. But I also had a doubt that I might get lost amid all the big stars. When you think about your journey, you think about how to move forward. Also, there's a lot of type casting. I wore a turban in Tabber and Black Warrant. So I didn't want people to see me in only turban roles where there's a lot more.”

In a video on Instagram, composer-singer Anu Maik shared his emotions of recreating the song Sandese Aate Hai from the film Border 2. 

"'Sandese Aate Hai’ will always be close to my heart - a timeless song made for the true heroes of our country The Indian Army, Navy and Airforce. Thank you for loving it through the years. Salute to our brave armed forces. Also special thanks to JP Dutta Saab, Sonu, Roop Kumar Rathod and Javed Saab for this lovely collaboration (sic)."

Sunny Deol's Gadar 2 director shared a post on X and congratulated the entire Border 2 team. "It’s a great news .. expecting blockbuster from @iamsunnydeol #Border2 congratulations to entire team (sic)," he wrote. 

Take a look at the post here: 

Kamaal R Khan shared a post on X that read, "Final advance report of film #Border2 for Friday! Tickets sold - 1,01,725 for gross value ₹3.80Cr in #PVRINOX till 10pm on Thursday! Means approx ₹10cr tickets sold in all the theaters! Means the producers will declare day1 nett business ₹22-25cr (sic)."

The first day, first show of Border 2 at Maxus Borivali was cancelled because the prints came late. Most theatres have reportedly cancelled their morning shows. 

(Video credit: Anita Britto)

A viral video showed fans celebrating Border 2's release with the film's posters and flex.

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Actor Sonam Bajwa shared a post on Instagram and expressed her gratitude. 

Ahan Shetty, who will be seen playing a key role in Border 2, wrote a heartfelt note for the film’s cast and makers. He not only called Sunny Deol his father figure, but also appreciated Varun Dhawan for loving him like an older brother. 

"Some journeys stay with you long after the work is done, simply because of the people you meet along the way. Beyond the cameras and the lights, it was the respect, the kindness, and the love for the craft that made this experience what it was. Truly thankful for the memories, the learning, and the people who made it all so meaningful. Just a day away from the film being out for the entire world to see. Feeling grateful, excited, and a little nervous. I can’t wait for everyone to watch it (sic)."

Take a look at the post here: 

Just hours ahead of Border 2 hitting theatres on Friday, January 23, uncertainty has taken hold among distributors and exhibitors nationwide. The situation has sparked anxiety within trade circles, with mounting concerns over whether early morning shows will proceed as scheduled. While anticipation for the film remains high, behind-the-scenes logistical hurdles have now moved into focus, leaving theatre owners waiting for clear answers.

Earlier, an X user from Pakistan congratulated Varun Dhawan on Border 2 and expressed his admiration for Sunny Deol. Dhawan readily acknowledged that Deol enjoys a strong fan following even in the neighbouring country. The user, Ali Haider Meerani, wrote to Dhawan, "Bhai apki Border 2 Pakistan me kab release hogi aur main Tara Singh ka bahut bada fan hoon, unko mera salaam kehna (sic)." Responding to the message, the 38-year-old actor wrote, "Border 2 is a film based on the 1971 war and some true events around that. I’m sure Sunny sir ke Pakistan mein bhi fan hain #VarunSays (sic)."

Diljit Dosanjh, who plays a pivotal role in Border 2, shared a gratitude note along with stills from the film. 

BORDER 2 Tomorrow Releasing Worldwide..Baut Hard Work Kita Sari Team Ne.. Baba Bhaag Lavey.. Anurag Bai Di 2 Saalan Di Mehnat Aa..NIRMAL JIT SINGH SEKHON is the only Indian Air Force Officer who Receive THE PARAM VIR CHAKRA...Film Vich Mainu Ona Da Kirdar Karn Da Mauka Mileya.. Mere Lai Maan Wali Gal Aa.. Shukar (Border 2 is releasing worldwide tomorrow. The entire team has put in immense hard work—may God bless us all. This film is the result of Anurag sir’s two years of dedication and effort. Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon is the only Indian Air Force officer to have received the Param Vir Chakra, and I feel deeply honoured to have had the opportunity to portray his character in the film. I am truly grateful)."

In an exclusive chat with India Today, veteran lyricist Jaed Akhtar shared his decision to decline writing songs for Border 2. Akhtar revealed that he was approached by the makers to write for the film but refused, calling the move “a kind of intellectual and creative bankruptcy."

Here what he said

Ahead of Border 2's release, Sunny Deol along with the film's team, visited INS Vikrant.

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As per reports, the runtime of Border 2 will be 3 hours and 19 minutes. With this, the movie starring Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty, Diljit Dosanjh, Sonam Bajwa, and more, is only slightly shorter than the recently released Ranveer Singh's Dhurandhar, which had a runtime of 3 hours and 34 minutes.

Lyricist Manoj Muntashir, in an exclusive chat with ANI, shared his thoughts on re-creating the iconic song, Ghar Kab Aogey, for Border 2.

Ahead of Border 2's release, actor Suniel Shetty visited the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain and prayed for the film's success. 

Watch the video here:

The film’s strong advance booking for Day 1 has caught the industry’s attention, particularly as it comes on the heels of Gadar 2, another successful Sunny Deol sequel. With the current buzz around sequels and no major competing releases at the box office, there is significant anticipation around how Anurag Singh’s directorial will perform.

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Afghanistan cricket captain Rashid Khan expressed his enthusiasm for Border 2. Khan, currently in Dubai for the Afghanistan vs West Indies cricket series, shared a lighthearted video on Instagram, instantly catching the attention of cricket fans and Bollywood personalities. The video features Rashid Khan expressing his love for Sunny Deol's war drama and vowed to watch it in theatres. 

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As Border 2 hits screens today, Sunny Deol shared a BTS video along with a few stills from the film while expressing his excitement over the grand release. 
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Athiya Shetty reposted Nidhi Dutta's Instagram post and extended her best wishes to theentore team.

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Border 2, one of the major Hindi releases of 2026, will hit cinemas today amid high anticipation from audiences in India and overseas. However, despite strong advance bookings and widespread excitement, viewers in the Gulf region, including the UAE and other GCC countries, will not be able to watch the film, as it has been denied release there.

The move follows a recurring pattern in the region, where films considered politically sensitive or linked to India-Pakistan themes often face restrictions. According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, Border 2 will not be released in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, or the UAE. “By now, it’s almost a given that films perceived as having ‘anti-Pakistan’ content don’t get a release in this belt,” the report stated.

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Trade analyst Taran Adarsh revealed details about Sunny Deol, Ahan Shetty, and Varun Dhawan-starrer’s screen count. 

"#Border2 screen count... #India: 4,800 screens.Approx 17,000 shows per day (sic)." 

Ahead of the release of Border 2, Varun Dhawan, who will be seen playing Param Vir Chakra Colonel Hoshiar Singh Dahiya in the war drama, shared an emotional note, writing that the movie pushed him beyond his limits.

'A battle #border2...A film that really pushed me to my limits. An experience which so many people helped me get through. It changed me for good. Injuries, personal life changes and submitting to@the craft can’t wait for everyone to watch this film tomorrow. Putting one of my favourite background pieces from the film (sic)," he wrote. 

Take a look at the post here: 

Just ahead of Border 2 release, producer and JP Dutta’s daughter, Nidhi Dutta, shared a throwback picture from the sets of the film along with a heartwarming note while expressing her emotions about the film. 

She wrote, "This picture is from the sets of Border (1997)… A young girl who clearly must have seen a dream through that lens that day & it put her on a path to a journey that will reach its destination tomorrow… the dream however couldn’t have been possible without certain people… First and foremost my husband and partner for everything in life… Binoy thank you for being the first person to hear my narration and from telling me I had a great script to holding my hand through it all… I will forever be grateful… To Shiv Chanana… my support System, bouncing board on everything and troubleshooter… I wouldn’t be here without u… thank you for your constant guidance, patience and warmth…To Anurag singh… some people have just the best things written in their destiny for them and u are one of them… the border legacy will always be grateful to u… ! (sic)."

"To Sunny uncle… your presence is the greatest blessing to this film and franchise…thank u for blessing us and always standing by us… Varun Dhawan… for being the bestest actor I’ve ever worked with! The most fun, supportive, selfless and hard working person on set I know! To Diljit Dosanjh… u were an absolute delight to watch thank u for embodying Sekhon the way u did…To Ahan .. my phantom I hope the world is ready to finally see u unmask your true self… I’m so proud of u…. To Ashwini Kumar… my protector, my company’s pillar & just the one person I can always lean on.. I don’t know how to thank you! To My sister, confidant and my shadow siddhi… thank u for making sure I never felt alone and always had a reason to smile… my entire production team… u guys worked tirelessly and made it all possible! They say production is the most thankless job but I’m most thankful for each and every one of u! To Dipesh uncle and Kaushal Thakker… thank u for always having my back… to my pillar and quite literally the one man army for me General Pannu… squadron leader Varlin, Major Aniket…can’t thank u enough…Mithoon and manojji thank u for giving my dream the best music and lyrics I could have imagined… Sonu … for your unending support and love and that magical voice…thank u brother…My Mother I hope ur proud.. thank u for putting up with me and my moods through this film and always calming me down…and lastly… the most important person on this film… who took the legacy and made it his own Bhushanji… ‘indebted’ also is a very small word for what I feel towards u… u made my dream possible… u held my hand and made this film with me every step of the way… u took it to heights I never knew existed & you have been nothing short of a magician for me… i cannot thank you… I’ll just bow my head & respect u forever…and finally to Sitara.. my baby… thank u for being so calm in mamas tummy through this whole process of the making of this film so that I could do both things so seamlessly my jaan… and the Almighty… I’m speechless at your grace. Ready papa? The Silver screen is waiting for your name again & I promise it will always be up there … To the Audiences…Dad & me will see u at the movies tomorrow! (sic)," she added. 

Read the note here:

Ajay Devgn shared a post on Instagram and extended his support to Border 2 as it is set to release in theatres today. 

Take a look at the post here: