The Roar is Back: A Review of Border 2
Nearly three decades after J.P. Dutta's original masterpiece changed the game for Indian war films, Border 2 has finally arrived in cinemas. Landing just after Republic Day 2026, the film came with enormous expectations. Is it perfect? Not quite. But is it a proper, heart-thumping belter of a movie? Absolutely.
The film does a smart job of blending the old with the new. Seeing Sunny Deol back on screen is like catching up with an old mate who hasn't lost any of his fire. His presence holds the whole thing together—when he roars, you feel it in your chest. But the film doesn't just coast on nostalgia. Varun Dhawan and Diljit Dosanjh bring fresh energy to the trenches, with Diljit being the real standout. He gives the film its emotional heart, reminding us there's a human cost behind all the heroics.
Visually, it's massive. The production clearly had a bigger budget this time, and it shows in the sweeping desert battle scenes. Some of the CGI is a bit hit and miss—occasionally looking a touch artificial compared to the gritty, practical effects of the '97 original—but the sheer scale and choreography of the fights keep you glued to your seat.
Where it might lose some people is the runtime. At over three hours, it's a proper marathon. The second act drags in places, and a few of the musical numbers feel like they've been shoved in just because. But then that legendary score kicks in, those familiar "Sandese Aate Hai" vibes come flooding back, and you forgive the occasional lull.
To put it simply: it's a bit of a romp. It's loud, unashamedly sentimental, and made to have you cheering at the screen. Border 2 doesn't try to be a quiet, gritty look at war—it's a big, bold, patriotic epic that knows exactly what its audience wants. If you're after a quiet night out, this isn't it. But if you want a film with massive heart and even bigger explosions, it's well worth the ticket price.