On Sunday, January 25, 2026, veteran actor Sunny Deol, star of the recently released war epic "Border 2," shared an emotional moment with the family of Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, a Param Vir Chakra recipient, whose heroic story is depicted in the film. Diljit Dosanjh portrays the role of the Indian Air Force officer in the movie.
Deol posted a photo on Instagram, expressing his sentiments: "It was a privilege to meet the family of our hero Param Vir Chakra Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon being portrayed by @diljitdosanjh, whose true story of unmatched bravery you will see in the film". He further added, "Meeting his family was so warm and memorable. Border 2 is a salute to all soldiers and their families who carry their legacy with quiet courage".
"Border 2," directed by Anurag Singh, serves as a standalone sequel to the 1997 film "Border". The film expands its scope by showcasing the combined operations of the Indian Armed Forces during the 1971 India-Pakistan War. The movie portrays battles across multiple fronts, including the Shakargarh bulge, Srinagar air defense, and Arabian Sea naval operations.
The cast includes Sunny Deol as Lt. Col. Fateh Singh Kaler, Varun Dhawan as Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya, Diljit Dosanjh as Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, and Ahan Shetty as Lt. Cdr. Mahendra Singh Rawat. Mona Singh plays Simi Kaler, Fateh's wife, and Sonam Bajwa portrays Manjit Sekhon, Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon's wife.
Diljit Dosanjh also shared behind-the-scenes snapshots on Instagram, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to portray Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon. He acknowledged the hard work of the entire team and the dedication of director Anurag Singh. Dosanjh stated that it was an honor for him to play the character of Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, the only Indian Air Force officer to receive the Param Vir Chakra.
Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon's act of valor occurred on December 14, 1971, when he single-handedly combatted Pakistani air attacks at the Srinagar airbase. Despite being outnumbered six to one by F-86 Sabre jets, he shot down one and set another ablaze before making the ultimate sacrifice. His extraordinary bravery, flying skills, and determination earned him the Param Vir Chakra.
"Border 2" hit theaters on January 23, 2026, coinciding with Republic Day weekend. The film has received positive responses from audiences and critics, with many praising it as a war epic that successfully honors the legacy of the original 1997 film. Taran Adarsh, a film critic, lauded the film as "outstanding," highlighting Sunny Deol's commanding presence and Anurag Singh's direction.
The film had a strong start at the box office, crossing ₹100 crore within two days of its release. Advance bookings also indicated a promising opening, with ₹2.5 crore in pre-sales on the first day.
