Movie Name : Border 2
Release Date : Jan 23, 2026
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Sunny Deol,Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, Ahan Shetty ,Sonam Bajwa, Mona Singh and Others
Director : Anurag Singh
Producers : Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar,JP Dutta, Nidhi Dutta
Music Directors : Anu Malik, Mithoon, Vishal Mishra, Sachet-Parampara, Gurmoh
Cinematographer : Anshul Chobey
Editor : Manish More
Related Links : Trailer
Bollywood film Border, headlined by Sunny Deol, Jackie Shroff, Akshaye Khanna, and others, is one of the most memorable war action dramas to have come out in Indian cinema. Nearly three decades after the first film, Border’s sequel titled Border 2, has hit the big screens today. Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahaan Shetty headline the second installment. The movie was released amidst good expectations. Let’s see how it is.
Story:
Set in 1971, the film depicts the bravery of the Indian armed forces during the India–Pakistan war. Close friends Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon (Diljit Dosanjh), Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya (Varun Dhawan), and Lt. Cdr. Mahendra S. Rawat (Ahan Shetty) reunite at Sekhon’s wedding before being urgently called back to duty.
As most troops are deployed to East Pakistan, the trio, along with their former trainer Lt Col Fateh Singh Kaler (Sunny Deol), faces the challenge of defending the western border from Pakistani attacks across Rajasthan, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir.
Plus Points:
The first half of the film revolves around the friendship between the three leads, and these portions work quite well. What begins as an ego clash gradually evolves into camaraderie. The comedy and music are neatly woven into the narrative, keeping the proceedings engaging.
The backstories of the leads are effectively presented with a touch of emotion. Sunny Deol makes a strong and impactful entry, backed by a well-executed action sequence. The interval block, where he warns the enemy with a punchy dialogue, is sure to strike a chord with the masses. His screen presence and dialogue delivery remain solid throughout.
Varun Dhawan, who was heavily trolled for his quirky smile in the promotional material, proves his naysayers wrong with his portrayal of a fierce soldier. He slips into the character effortlessly and delivers exactly what the role demands, without going overboard.
Minus Points:
The main problem begins once the war episodes unfold. They lack naturality and look very artificial on the big screen. The war tactics and hand-to-hand combat sequences feel highly similar to the first installment, offering little novelty.
The air combat portions featuring Diljit and the action sequences on water with Ahaan Shetty look extremely shoddy due to poor VFX. These tacky visuals undo the good impression created in the first half. When aiming for something ambitious, every element must align to leave a lasting impact.
Even without advanced technology, the first film delivered brilliant war sequences. In contrast, Border 2 struggles heavily in this aspect despite having adequate resources. Since war scenes form the heart of the Border franchise, the second installment doesn’t quite hit the mark. Also, the emotional touch that was neatly handled in the original is missing during the war scenes. The second half is stretched unnecessarily.
Technical Aspects:
Apart from the music, the other technical aspects aren’t up to the mark and they restrict the impact considerably. Especially the VFX is subpar and leaves a lot to be desired. The action sequences lack novelty, and the editing isn’t satisfactory. The movie drags after a point, giving a tiresome feeling.
Director Anurag Singh does an okayish job. The first half is watchable, but the second half fails to pack a punch because of below-par war sequences. The content closely mirrors the first part, with the sequel offering very little that’s new.
Verdict:
On the whole, Border 2 falls short of matching the impact of Border and works only to a limited extent. Sunny Deol and Varun Dhawan deliver impressive performances and largely shoulder the film, while the supporting cast doesn’t get much scope to shine. The biggest drawback lies in the war sequences, which suffer from unimpressive VFX and weak presentation. The second half fails to live up to expectations and noticeably lacks emotional depth. Although the film may open well due to its strong brand value, its long-term prospects appear modest.
123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team