Ashhar Alam/New Delhi

Sunny Deol’s much-anticipated sequel “Border 2” opened to a massive response at the domestic box office, raking in Rs 32.10 crore net on its first day, according to the makers. Released nationwide on Friday, the film marks a continuation of Deol’s 1997 blockbuster “Border”, originally directed by J P Dutta.

Directed by Anurag Singh and backed by T-Series and J P Films, the film also stars Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty, alongside Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Anya Singh, and Medha Rana in key roles.

The makers highlighted that early morning shows saw packed theatres, with audiences turning out in huge numbers, making it one of the biggest openings in recent times, especially over the Republic Day weekend.

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Set against the backdrop of the 1971 India–Pakistan war and the legendary Battle of Longewala, “Border 2” continues the patriotic narrative of its predecessor. However, the film did not secure releases in six Gulf nations—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE—reportedly due to its anti-Pakistan storyline, making it the second recent Indian film to face such restrictions after Aditya Dhar’s “Dhurandhar”.

#Border2 first half turns out to be a decent watch. It takes time to set up the story, characters well. Interval hits at a high point with the war finally beginning. The expectations from the second half are sky high. Also, #SunnyDeol dialogues are 🔥#Border2Review pic.twitter.com/mjRY2yCXq1

— Aakash Kumar (@aakashkmr) January 23, 2026

Produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, J P Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta, the film’s strong debut underscores the enduring appeal of patriotic war dramas in India, with audiences flocking to cinemas to witness the latest chapter in the iconic saga.