Border 2 hit theatres last weekend, bringing a wave of nostalgia for fans of the original 1997 classic Border. Almost three decades ago, JP Dutta’s film celebrated the bravery of soldiers while giving audiences a human, emotional connection to them.
Starring Sunny Deol in the lead (alongside Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty and Diljit Dosanjh), the sequel delivered on expectations. The film also offered a special surprise during the end credits. It brought cameos by Suniel Shetty, Akshaye Khanna, Puneet Issar and Sudesh Berry, reprising characters who had died in the first film. Their appearance has gone viral on social media.
OMG #AkshayeKhanna and #SunielShetty in #Border2 #SunnyDeol pic.twitter.com/mJjOzo7PB8
— Saurabh Singh (@Mt_Saurabh) January 26, 2026
Fans were especially eager to see Akshaye Khanna after his performance in Dhurandhar generated online buzz. For a long time, there was no official confirmation about his cameo. Now, the end credits scene shows Sunny Deol’s character, Lt. Col Fateh Singh Kaler remembering the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the first film.
DON'T MISS
Many felt that the decision to bring back Akshaye Khanna in the film was due to his popularity after Dhurandhar. The film’s producer and director have now reacted to it!
Are Border 2 Makers Banking On Akshaye Khanna’s Popularity From Dhurandhar? Check What They Said
Co-producer Bhushan Kumar told News 18, “You can’t make a film like that. It was already scripted. In fact, we shot his portion after Dhurandhar released. The hysteria of the film and Akshaye was already there, but we never thought of profiting from it. It was never required in the script. It’s not like we added him after Dhurandhar released.”
Director Anurag Singh added, “We shot his part on December 10-11. Akshaye is in Border 2 as a tribute to Border. He was a part of the story from the very beginning. And those who stay back after the film ends will get the golden nugget.”
The end-credits scene is a heartfelt tribute. Sunny Deol’s character visits a Gurudwara seeking peace after the war and sees visions of his fallen comrades. These “astral” appearances show the actors in uniform, smiling toward him as an acknowledgement of their sacrifice. The sequence is enhanced by the song “Mitti Ke Bete” and includes newer martyrs like Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty.
Film’s Budget And OTT Release
Border 2 was made on a reported budget of Rs 200–275 crore, including shoots at military locations like the National Defence Academy (NDA) and secret naval bases, as well as star salaries. After releasing on January 23, 2026, the film has already grossed over Rs 250 crore worldwide.
The OTT rights have been secured by Netflix. While the exact streaming date isn’t confirmed, industry sources expect a digital premiere between late March and mid-April 2026, giving the film six to eight weeks to maximise its theatrical run before reaching global viewers.
