Border 2 Review: Sunny Deol Leads a Stirring, Old-School War Spectacle

ByShubham Singh

Border 2 Review is here! The much-awaited spiritual sequel to JP Dutta’s iconic 1997 war film Border, marches into theatres with towering expectations—and largely delivers a rousing, mass-friendly patriotic experience. Released around the Republic Day window, the film leans heavily into emotion, nationalism, and large-scale war action, positioning itself as a big-screen spectacle meant for whistles, applause, and goosebumps.

Early reviews and audience reactions suggest that Border 2 successfully honours the legacy of the original while expanding its canvas for a new generation of viewers.

Border 2 Review: Story & Setting

Set against the backdrop of the 1971 India–Pakistan war, Border 2 follows three close friends from different wings of the Indian Armed Forces:

  • Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon (Diljit Dosanjh) – Indian Air Force
  • Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya (Varun Dhawan) – Indian Army
  • Lt Commander Mahendra S. Rawat (Ahan Shetty) – Indian Navy

The trio first bond at the National War Academy in 1961 and reunite years later at Nirmal’s wedding in Punjab. Their personal celebration is cut short as rising tensions along the western front force them back into active duty.

As they return to their respective battlegrounds—Srinagar skies, Jammu’s land borders, and the Arabian Sea off Gujarat—their former trainer, Lt Col Fateh Singh Kaler (Sunny Deol), prepares to defend the Munawar Tawi sector with limited manpower against coordinated Pakistani offensives across Rajasthan, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir.

The screenplay interweaves lesser-known real incidents from the 1971 war, balancing battlefield action with themes of sacrifice, brotherhood, duty, and the emotional toll of war.

Performances: Sunny Deol Is the Soul of Border 2

Performances emerge as one of the film’s strongest pillars.

Sunny Deol (Lt Col Fateh Singh Kaler)

Sunny Deol is described by critics as being in “top form”, delivering thunderous dialogue, emotional restraint, and explosive action. His presence anchors the film, evoking memories of his most iconic patriotic roles. The climax, in particular, is tailored for mass hysteria in theatres.

Varun Dhawan (Major Hoshiar Singh)

Varun delivers one of his most intense and grounded performances to date. His portrayal balances bravery with emotional vulnerability, making his character especially relatable for younger audiences.

Diljit Dosanjh (Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon)

Diljit is widely called “the heart of the film”, bringing warmth, sincerity, and emotional depth. His arc adds humanity to the chaos of war and stands out among early audience reactions.

Ahan Shetty (Lt Cmdr Mahendra Rawat)

Ahan Shetty makes a solid and promising impression, particularly in the naval sequences. While occasionally overshadowed by senior actors, he holds his own with earnest intensity.

Supporting performances from Mona Singh, Medha Rana, Sonam Bajwa, and others strengthen the emotional stakes on the home front, especially through letters, farewells, and family moments.

Direction, Writing & War Sequences

Directed by Anurag Singh, with story by Nidhi Dutta and screenplay by Sumit Arora & Anurag Singh, Border 2 keeps its storytelling clear despite juggling multiple battlefronts.

What Works:

  • A strong balance between spectacle and sentiment, echoing the emotional DNA of the original Border.
  • Well-staged ground combat, aerial dogfights, and artillery exchanges that remain easy to follow.
  • The interval block and final 15 minutes are repeatedly highlighted as high-impact, crowd-pleasing sequences.

Minor Criticism:

  • Some dialogues feel over-the-top or dated, especially for viewers preferring subtlety.
  • The emotional pitch is intentionally loud, which may not work for everyone.

Music, Technical Aspects & Runtime

Music plays a crucial role in amplifying emotion:

  • Songs like “Ghar Kab Aaoge,” “Jaate Hue Lamhon,” “Hindustan Meri Jaan,” “Mitti Ke Bete,” and a new rendition of the “Border theme” are placed for maximum emotional payoff.
  • John Stewart Eduri’s background score effectively heightens tension and patriotic surges.

Technical Highlights:

  • Authentic production design and costumes convincingly recreate the 1971 war era.
  • VFX is largely effective, though naval warship sequences show noticeable CG limitations.
  • Runtime clocks in at ~199 minutes—engaging for the most part, but some romantic subplots could have been trimmed.

Critical & Audience Reception: Border 2 Review

The overall response is positive to very positive, especially among mass audiences.

  • Bollywood Hungama: ⭐ 4.5/5 – “A stirring, big-screen war spectacle.”
  • Trade analysts praise its scale, sincerity, and Republic Day appeal.

However, some criticism exists:

  • A section of viewers finds parts cringe or melodramatic.
  • Others feel it doesn’t fully replicate the understated emotional impact of the 1997 original.

Final Verdict: Border 2 Review

Border 2 Review is unapologetically loud, emotional, and patriotic—and that’s exactly what its target audience expects.

Watch it if:

  • You enjoy old-school Bollywood war dramas.
  • You want Sunny Deol in full patriotic mode.
  • You love big emotional beats, rousing music, and mass-friendly climaxes.
  • Click here to book your tickets now.

Skip or temper expectations if:

  • You prefer subtle, realistic war films.
  • You’re deeply attached to the original Border’s tone.

Bottom Line:
As a mainstream patriotic entertainer, Border 2 largely delivers—making it a powerful theatrical experience best enjoyed with a cheering crowd during the Republic Day weekend.

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