As the highly anticipated sequel to the 1997 film Border, Border 2 has finally been released in theaters on January 23, 2026. The film, directed by Anurag Singh, brings back Sunny Deol as the central protagonist, alongside a new generation of stars including Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty. Paramvir Cheema, who plays Subedar Nishaan Singh in the war drama, recently shared his experiences working on the film, particularly with Sunny Deol.

Cheema admitted that he initially had reservations about joining such a star-studded cast. "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," he told ANI. He also expressed concerns about being typecast in turban roles, as he had previously worn a turban in Tabbar and Black Warrant.

However, after a meeting with director Anurag Singh, Cheema felt reassured and was ultimately selected for the role. He also drew upon his family's army background for the role, noting, "I come from an army background. My great-grandfather and many of them were in the army. They also served during World War II. So, there were a lot of responsibilities. Border is such a big film. It is about patriotism and about our soldiers. I had to make sure that nothing went wrong".

Despite his initial fears, Cheema described working with Sunny Deol as a "surreal experience". "I didn't have much to do with Sunny sir, as I have only one or two scenes with him. But Sunny Deol is Sunny Deol. There is no 'Border' without Sunny Deol. It was a very surreal experience that you can't forget," he added. Cheema recalled shooting with Deol for 30-32 days and feeling the essence of Border when he saw Deol's solo frame at the beginning.

Cheema also shared his experience working with Varun Dhawan, who he said praised his work in Black Warrant. "I thought that he was such a big star, and what if he has tantrums? But, there was nothing. He was our boss in the film. I remember Varun Dhawan coming to talk to me. At that time, Black Warrant was also released, and he saw it. He used to tell me, 'I like your work a lot, Param'," Cheema said.

Border 2, set against the backdrop of the 1971 India-Pakistan War, expands on the scope of its predecessor by showcasing the combined operations of the Indian Armed Forces. Alongside Deol, Dhawan, Dosanjh, and Shetty, the film also features Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Anya Singh, and Medha Rana in pivotal roles. Cameos by Akshaye Khanna, Suniel Shetty, and Sudesh Berry, who starred in the original Border, have been digitally de-aged for the sequel.

The film has already generated significant buzz, with advance bookings beating the mark set by Dhurandhar. However, it fell slightly short of Gadar 2. Border 2 is expected to have a massive opening at the box office, potentially earning ₹32-35 crore.

However, the film's release has not been without controversy. Border 2 has been banned in Gulf countries such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, reportedly due to its perceived "anti-Pakistan" content.

Despite mixed reviews, Sunny Deol's performance has been a major talking point, with many praising his blend of intensity and emotional depth. One user described Border 2 as "a powerful war epic that delivers on emotion and scale," highlighting its immersive depiction of the 1971 Battle of Basantar.

Border 2 is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, J. P. Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta under the banners of T-Series Films and J. P. Films. The music is composed by Anu Malik, Mithoon, Vishal Mishra, Sachet Tandon, Gurmoh, and Parampara Tandon.