BY NAMITA DOGRA SUDAN*
Director: Anurag Singh
Cast: Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, Varun Dhawan, Ahaan Shetty
Duration: 3 Hours 19 Minutes
Rating: (3/5) ***
Nearly three decades after JP Dutta’s Border became a cultural phenomenon, the sequel arrives to finish the story. Released amidst low expectations due to a lackluster PR campaign, Border 2 manages to surprise by trading pure action for deep-seated emotional drama. It isn’t just a sequel; it is an expansion that finally brings the Indian Navy into the 1971 narrative, chronicling the maneuvers that led to the formation of Bangladesh.
The Story: 70% Family, 30% War
While the original was localized to the desert sands of Longewala, Border 2 broadens the canvas. For the first time, we see the Indian Navy’s pivotal role in the blockade and the tactical brilliance required for the liberation of East Pakistan.
However, the narrative remains structured as 70% family dynamics and 30% war sequences. The film spends a significant amount of time on the “letters from home,” exploring the psyche of the families waiting behind the lines. It is a slow-burn patriotic drama that values tears over TNT, focusing on the human cost of victory.
The Cast: Real Heroes and Mixed Performances
The film gains significant gravitas by basing its leads on the legendary exploits of real-life 1971 heroes, ensuring the story serves as a sincere historical tribute.
- Diljit Dosanjh portrays the legendary pilot Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon from the No. 18 Squadron who single-handedly defended the Srinagar airfield against six Pakistani Sabre aircraft. He remains the only member of the Indian Air Force to be awarded the Param Vir Chakra (posthumously). Diljit is the undisputed soul of the film. His performance is so grounded and sincere that it instantly silences any previous controversy (Sardaar Ji 3).
- Sunny Deol returns with his trademark “Josh,” as Lt Col Fateh Singh Kaler carrying the nostalgia of the original on his shoulders. Even in 2026, his screen presence is enough to give the audience goosebumps.
- Varun Dhawan’s character is inspired by this Param Vir Chakra awardee from the 3 Grenadiers. The film depicts his fierce leadership during the Battle of Basantar, where he held his position against massive enemy counter-attacks despite being seriously wounded. Varun delivers an earnest effort but struggles with a Haryanvi accent that feels off-beat. For such a rooted character, an actor with natural Haryanvi origins, like Randeep Hooda, might have been a more authentic fit.
- Ahaan Shetty’s role is based on the heroic captain of the INS Khukri, Lieutenant Commander Mahendra Nath Mulla (fictionalized as Lt Cdr M.S. Rawat). During the 1971 war, when his ship was torpedoed by a Pakistani submarine, Mulla famously chose to go down with his vessel rather than abandon his men. But unfortunately, Ahaan delivers a below-average performance. He lacks the grit and fire his father, Suniel Shetty, brought to the original film, failing to fully capture the legendary intensity of the youngest PVC recipient.
On the female front, Mona Singh delivers a standout performance, anchoring the emotional scenes with her powerhouse acting. Meanwhile, Sonam Bajwa brings a breath of fresh air to the screen, looking stunningly beautiful and adding grace to the film’s softer moments.
The Positives: Timing and Tradition
- The Republic Day Advantage: Releasing over the Republic Day weekend is a strategic masterstroke. The national fervor ensures the film resonates with the audience despite the lack of early hype.
- Nostalgia Done Right: The music cleverly uses “Nostalgia Baiting,” weaving in iconic themes from 1997 to save the day during slower moments.
- The Triple-Front War: Seeing the Army, Airforce and Navy collaborate for the formation of Bangladesh adds a much-needed historical scale that the franchise previously lacked.
The Negatives: VFX and Missing Star Power
- Pacing: At 3 hours and 19 minutes, the film is an endurance test that desperately needed a sharper edit.
- Average VFX: For a 2026 release, the visual effects—especially during the naval battles—feel dated and lack high-fidelity polish.
- Missed Star Power: Beyond Sunny Deol, the film lacks significant “star power.” While the current cast is capable, the addition of more A-list names or more prominent cameos would have elevated the film from a drama to a true blockbuster event.
Final Verdict
Border 2 wins on intent but stumbles slightly on execution. It is a heartfelt tribute that succeeds because it honors the true-to-life bravery of the Army, Airforce and Navy. While the length and certain performances are drawbacks, the emotional connect and perfect release timing will likely lead to higher-than-expected returns. It’s a film best watched with family—if not in theaters, then certainly when it lands on OTT for a comfortable home viewing.
*Namita Dogra Sudan is the entertainment news editor and video news producer of NRIPulse.
