Border 2 release today: Most awaited film of 2026 – Border 2 is the sequel to JP Dutta’s 1997 blockbuster Border SIn the background of the India-Pakistan war of 1971. Directed by Anurag Singh, Border 2 marks the return of Sunny Deol to the lead role in the iconic war franchise. This film starring actors like Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty is much talked about. Ahead of its release on January 23, 2026, we spoke to Isha Koppikar, who has worked with Sunny Deol and Sunil Shetty in a few films, and she spoke about how high the excitement is for the war drama.
Also read: Border 2 Movie Initial honest reactions are here
Tell us about the iconic 1997 film Border and its impact. Are you now excited to see its sequel Border 2?
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My first year was 1998 and the year before that was a very important year for Indian cinema and Border was a landmark film. I remember how much of an impact it had when it was released. The patriotism, the emotion, the scale of the storytelling was so real, so resonant. And I am completely a patriot. So I remember feeling every emotion so deeply when I watched the movie in theatres. Now, after so many years, it is really exciting to see Border 2 being made with the same passion and vision. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing it. Movies like this remind us of the sacrifice of our soldiers and I think every generation needs to experience this through powerful cinema.
Which character impressed you the most?
Sunil Shetty’s character Bhairon Singh touched me deeply. The way he portrayed a soldier who is so dedicated to his duty, yet so human in his emotions, was incredibly touching. The scene where he is writing letters home, knowing that he will not return, it still gives me goosebumps. Every character in Border had so much depth, but there was something about Bhairon Singh’s quiet strength and his ultimate sacrifice that stayed with me long after the film was over.
Border 2 is a drama on the India-Pakistan war of 1971. Which other war drama did you like?
I have always been deeply influenced by war dramas. Lakshya is a film that really stayed with me. The change in Hrithik’s character and the backdrop of the Kargil war have been played beautifully. Internationally, I’ve been influenced by films like Saving Private Ryan. But when it comes to Indian war cinema, Uri: The Surgical Strike was exceptional in that it presented a contemporary war story to the audience with such authenticity and impact. These films show battles, but they also show the hearts and souls of the people fighting them.
Do you think sequels to iconic films face a lot of pressure to match up?
Of course, yes. When you’re making a sequel to a film, especially one as iconic as Border, expectations are sky-high, and rightfully so. The original holds such a special place in the hearts of countless people that the sequel has to honor that legacy while also offering something new and relevant. But I also believe that pressure can be a catalyst for great cinema. When filmmakers approach sequels with respect for the original and with a genuine desire to tell a meaningful story and not just exploit a brand name, it can all work out.
According to some reports, Border 2 also features cameos from the original cast including Akshaye Khanna, Suniel Shetty and Sudesh Berry, who have been recreated using digital de-aging technology.
Border 2 was released in theaters on 23 January 2026.