Mumbai, India – The highly anticipated war epic "Border 2," starring Sunny Deol and Varun Dhawan, has made a significant impact at the box office, collecting an impressive 125.8 crore rupees in its initial three days. The film, released on January 23, 2026, capitalized on the extended Republic Day weekend, drawing large audiences across India. This strong opening weekend performance positions the movie as a major success for early 2026.[en+2]
Strong Box Office Performance[bollywoodhungama+1]
"Border 2" opened with a net collection of 32.10 crore rupees on its first day, Friday, January 23. The momentum continued to build on Saturday, January 24, with the film earning 36.5 crore rupees. Sunday, January 25, saw a substantial jump in collections, reaching 57.20 crore rupees. This consistent growth pushed the film's total domestic net collection to 125.80 crore rupees by the end of its third day. The movie also achieved a worldwide gross of 172.2 crore rupees in its opening weekend. Experts had predicted a strong opening, with some anticipating an opening day collection exceeding 35 crore rupees and an extended weekend total over 125 crore rupees.[indianexpress+11]
The Highly Anticipated Sequel[timesofindia]
"Border 2" is a standalone sequel to J. P. Dutta's critically acclaimed 1997 film "Border." Directed by Anurag Singh, the new film is co-written by Singh and Sumit Arora, with the story by Nidhi Dutta. It 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 film, set against the backdrop of the 1971 India-Pakistan war, expands on its predecessor by showcasing combined operations of the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy.[en+2]
Sunny Deol reprises a leading role, portraying Indian Army officer Lieutenant Colonel Fateh Singh Kaler. Varun Dhawan plays Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya. The ensemble cast also features Diljit Dosanjh as Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon and Ahan Shetty as Lieutenant Commander Mahendra Singh Rawat. Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Anya Singh, and Medha Rana also appear in pivotal roles. The project was officially announced on June 13, 2024, marking the 27th anniversary of the original "Border."[en+7]
Production and Authenticity[en]
Filming for "Border 2" began in early 2025, with extensive principal photography across various military installations and natural landscapes. The production team prioritized technical authenticity, utilizing real-world defense locations. Early phases of filming took place in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, including the Jhansi Cantonment and Babina Cantonment. Sunny Deol and Varun Dhawan filmed crucial sequences in these cantonment areas to establish a realistic setting.[en+2]
The second phase of production moved to Maharashtra, with significant portions filmed at the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Khadakwasla, near Pune. This schedule focused on introductory sequences and training, involving Deol, Dhawan, Dosanjh, and Shetty in staged military drills with NCC cadets. Later, filming shifted to the rugged terrains of Uttarakhand for combat sequences, replicating Kashmiri villages in areas like Halduwala and featuring historic sites in Almora. The fourth phase took place in Punjab, primarily around Amritsar, with scenes shot in local villages and constructed military camps. The final production phase in December 2025 focused on large-scale action sequences, with additional filming in Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, and various air and naval bases, including the INS Vikrant.[en+4]
Audience Reception and Future Outlook[en]
"Border 2" has received positive reviews from critics, contributing to its strong box office performance. The film benefited greatly from positive word-of-mouth, which fueled its growth over the Republic Day weekend. The extended holiday period allowed many families and groups of friends to plan movie outings, boosting attendance. Trade analysts note that the film's success reinforces Sunny Deol's strong connection with audiences, especially after the massive success of his previous film, "Gadar 2."[en+3]
The film's performance has surpassed the opening weekend collections of other recent releases like "Dhurandhar" and "Chhaava." For example, "Border 2" earned 129.89 crore rupees between Friday and Sunday, outperforming "Dhurandhar's" 106.50 crore rupees opening weekend from 2025. Internationally, "Border 2" has also performed well, crossing the 1 million US dollar mark in North America by its second day. However, the film faced a ban in some Middle Eastern countries due to perceived "anti-Pakistan" content.[timesofindia+6]
As "Border 2" continues its theatrical run, its strong opening weekend suggests it is poised for continued success, particularly with the Republic Day holiday further boosting its collections. The film's blend of patriotic action and an ensemble cast has clearly resonated with moviegoers, making it one of the early blockbusters of 2026.[hindustantimes+2]
