REVIEW:

REVIEW: “Border 2” — Is it Jingoistic Noise or a Masterpiece?

Border 2, the highly anticipated sequel to J.P. Dutta’s 1997 classic Border, released today (January 23, 2026) and is already generating massive buzz. Directed by Anurag Singh, the film brings back Sunny Deol in a mentor role alongside a fresh ensemble: Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty, with supporting stars like Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Anya Singh, and Medha Rana.

Set during the 1971 Indo-Pak War, Border 2 expands the scope across land, air, and sea fronts. Sunny Deol plays veteran officer Fateh Singh, guiding the next generation: Varun as ground soldier Hoshiyar Singh, Diljit as fearless IAF pilot Nirmaljit Singh, and Ahan as naval officer Mahendra Rawat. The story weaves coordinated battles, sacrifice, brotherhood, and patriotism into a 3-hour-19-minute UA-rated epic.

Early box office trends show a strong start: advance bookings crossed ₹12.5 crore gross (over 4 lakh tickets), morning shows added ₹5–7 crore, and projections point to a ₹30–40 crore+ opening day, boosted by Republic Day weekend. The film faces no major competition and enjoys wide release (4500+ screens), though banned in some Gulf countries over perceived “anti-Pakistan” sentiment.

Critical Verdict: Mixed but Mass-Friendly

Critics are divided but lean positive for mass audiences:

Times of India (3/5): “Sunny Deol roars while Diljit shines in a war drama that doesn’t redefine the genre. Watch for presence, rousing spirit, and emotion.”
NDTV (3/5): “Lies between Dhurandhar and Ikkis — grand scale, emotional undercurrents, but predictable and stretched.”
123Telugu (2.75/5): “Falls short of the original’s glory — paisa vasool entertainer but limited impact.”
Audience buzz on X and Reddit calls it “outstanding” for patriotism, “blockbuster” vibes, and Sunny Deol’s intensity, though some slam it as “cringeworthy,” “jingoistic,” and “nothing new” with poor VFX.

The film succeeds in nostalgia, emotional beats (family sacrifices, camaraderie), and high-voltage action (tank battles, aerial dogfights, naval clashes). Dialogues like “Tum ek maroge toh hazaar aayenge” are tailor-made for theater cheers. Music, especially “Ghar Kab Aaoge,” is a highlight. Flaws include stretched runtime, predictable plot, harsh color grading, and heavy nationalism that leaves little nuance.

Sunny Deol dominates with vintage swag and thunderous delivery — fans say he’s “fire as always.” Diljit steals aerial scenes, Varun shows maturity, Ahan pays homage to Suniel Shetty. Supporting cast adds heart.

The Cinephile in me pushed me to watch #Border2 today. Rating: ⭐✨ (1.5/5) Border 2 is typical cringe Shit made only to cash some money under the disguise of patriotism... SKIP the movie and save your money to buy Popcorn 🍿 when you watch Dhurandhar 2 in March. #Border2Review

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— Shubham Tripathi (@TripathiVerse) January 23, 2026

Is It Worth the Ticket?

Yes, if you love old-school patriotic war films, Sunny Deol’s roar, crowd-pleasing moments, and big-screen spectacle. It’s a rousing, emotional tribute to 1971 heroes — perfect for Republic Day weekend.

Skip or wait for OTT if you want subtlety, groundbreaking VFX, or something beyond jingoism. It honors the original but doesn’t top it.

Verdict: Mass entertainer with heart — 3/5 for critics, higher for patriotic crowds. Go for the experience, the cheers, and the goosebumps. The roar is back — just don’t expect revolution.

“Ghar Kab Aaoge” in a packed theatre is an experience you can’t explain properly. Music bajte hi poora hall shaant ho gaya. Kuch log emotionally break ho gaye, kuch bas chup baithe rahe. That moment alone makes Border 2 worth watching on the big screen. ❤️ #Border2 #Border2Review
— thayan (@thatha646126) January 23, 2026

Just finished watching Border 2 and honestly, it takes time to sink in. The emotions, the silences, the unspoken pain… sab dheere dheere hit karta hai. Theatre se nikalte waqt log unusually quiet the, and that silence itself felt like a review. 🇮🇳 #Border2 #Border2Review
— Aadarsh (@Aadarsh128126) January 23, 2026