The highly anticipated war drama Border 2, a sequel to the 1997 blockbuster Border, is set to hit theaters on January 23, 2026, coinciding with India's Republic Day weekend. Directed by Anurag Singh and produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, JP Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta, the film promises a large-scale, immersive cinematic experience.
Certification and Runtime
Border 2 has been officially cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) with a UA 13+ certificate, suggesting parental guidance for viewers below 13 years of age due to intense war sequences and emotional depth. Notably, the film has passed the censor process without any cuts, ensuring that audiences will experience the story exactly as envisioned by the filmmakers. The CBFC certification confirms a substantial runtime of 3 hours and 16 minutes. However, some reports indicate a runtime of 3 hours and 19 minutes. This extended duration positions Border 2 as a grand war epic, allowing for detailed battle sequences, deeper character arcs, and a strong emotional core.
Cast
Sunny Deol returns to the franchise as the central protagonist. The film features an ensemble cast including Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty in key roles. The cast also includes Mona Singh, Medha Rana, Sonam Bajwa, and Anya Singh in prominent roles.
The roles include:
- Sunny Deol as Lt Col Fateh Singh Kaler
- Varun Dhawan as Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya
- Diljit Dosanjh as Fg Offr Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon
- Ahan Shetty as Lt Cdr M. S. Rawat
- Mona Singh as Fateh's wife
- Sonam Bajwa as Manjit Sekhon, Nirmal's wife
- Medha Rana as Dhano Devi Dahiya, Hoshiar's wife
- Anya Singh as Rawat's wife
Story and Setting
Border 2 is set against the backdrop of the India-Pakistan war of 1971. Unlike the original Border, the sequel expands its scope to showcase the combined operations of the Indian Armed Forces, including the Army, Air Force, and Navy. The film aims to depict the courage and sacrifice of soldiers across all three branches. Key historical elements featured in the film include the depiction of Operation Chengiz Khan, and it portrays the Indian Armed Forces’ response to Pakistan’s preemptive air strikes on 11 Indian airbases on December 3, 1971.
Advance Booking and Expectations
Border 2 has generated significant buzz, with advance bookings indicating strong audience interest. As of January 22, 2026, early box office reports estimate that the film has already grossed ₹5.65 crore in advance bookings from its 2D shows alone. Sacnilk reported that the film is eyeing at least a ₹7.11 crore opening considering blocked seats. Trade sources indicated that the film had sold over one lakh tickets within 48 hours of advance booking opening. As of Wednesday morning, the film was reportedly selling 3,000 tickets per hour on BookMyShow, with the pace increasing. With positive momentum and an extended Republic Day weekend, Border 2 is expected to have a strong opening at the box office. Some projections suggest an opening day net in the range of ₹35–40 crore.
The film's tagline, "Hindustan ke liye ladenge... phir ek baar!" (We will fight for India… once again!), evokes a patriotic sentiment.
