Border 2 Review: Border 2 finally hit theatres today (January 23), bringing back one of Hindi cinema’s most iconic war franchises to the big screen. The sequel marks Sunny Deol’s return to the battlefield, this time alongside Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty. As fans visited cinemas for the first day, first show, early reactions quickly flooded social media, sparking a debate over whether nostalgia is the film’s biggest strength.
Directed by Anurag Singh (known for Kesari and Jugjugg Jeeyo), Border 2 serves as a follow-up to JP Dutta’s 1997 blockbuster Border. The original film continues to enjoy cult status for its emotional depth and patriotic impact. With the sequel, the makers aim bigger. The scale is grander, the cast is larger and the action is louder. However, audience reactions suggest that the film’s reception is mixed, even if the excitement around Sunny Deol remains strong.
Border 2 Review: What Early Viewers Are Saying
Soon after the film’s public screenings, viewers took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their Border 2 review. One user (who rated the film two stars) felt the intention behind the film was clear, but the execution faltered. According to the viewer, the patriotic moments and power-packed scenes worked in parts, but the emotional beats felt forced. The user also pointed out that the screenplay dragged in certain sections and concluded that nostalgia seemed to be doing most of the work.
Another audience member described Border 2 as a “cinematic triumph” and praised its intensity. The viewer highlighted the film’s tribute to the bravery of Indian soldiers and singled out Sunny Deol’s screen presence as a major highlight.
One more viewer shared his Border 2 review and wrote, “It was fun, full patriotic vibe. Some scenes will give you goosebumps. And there are some scenes which can make you emotional, this film will entertain you like the previous Border. At some places the VFX feels fake and cheap quality.”
Check out some more reactions below
About The Sequel
Border 2 is a war drama set against the backdrop of the 1971 India-Pakistan War. Positioned as a spiritual successor to the 1997 classic, the film expands its narrative to depict large-scale, coordinated military operations across land, air and sea. The story draws inspiration from real-life events such as Operation Chengiz Khan, the Battle of Basantar, and the naval defence involving INS Khukri.
Sunny Deol leads the ensemble, reprising his iconic presence as a senior army officer, identified in reports as Lt Col Fateh Singh Kaler or Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri. Varun Dhawan essays the role of Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya, while Diljit Dosanjh plays Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon. Ahan Shetty appears as a naval commander, adding another layer to the multi-front war narrative. The supporting cast includes Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Medha Rana and Anya Singh.
The film has a certified runtime of 3 hours and 19 minutes and received a ‘U/A’ certificate from the CBFC in January 2026. While the makers have not officially confirmed the budget, reports estimate the production cost to be between Rs 230 crore and Rs 250 crore. Some industry sources suggest it may go as high as Rs 350 crore, factoring in extensive VFX work and large-scale combat sequences.
