Border 2 movie review: Legacy, loyalty and the human side of war

Back in 1997, theatres witnessed a roaring response to JP Dutta’s Border—a film widely loved for its story, execution, scale, direction, screenplay, and iconic soundtrack. Nearly three decades later, JP Dutta’s daughter Nidhi Dutta steps into a genre her legendary father was synonymous with. Carrying forward his legacy, she mounts a sequel with a largely new cast, barring Sunny Deol, who returns as Fateh Singh—still formidable, now guiding and mentoring younger blood.

Strong emotional core

Border 2 is set against the backdrop of 1971, a period when tensions were escalating on India’s eastern and western borders, putting the Army, Navy and Air Force on high alert. The narrative follows Lt Col Fateh Singh Kaler (Sunny Deol), Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon (Diljit Dosanjh), Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya (Varun Dhawan) of the Indian Army, and Lt Cdr Mahendra S. Rawat (Ahan Shetty) of the Indian Navy.

The first half traces events from the early 1960s, charting how the four men meet, build deep friendships, and the pivotal role Deol’s character plays in shaping their journeys. The second half shifts to the battlefield as India takes on Pakistani forces. Sonam Bajwa, Medha Rana, Anya Singh and Mona Singh play the partners of the four men and form the emotional backbone of the film.

A film that knows what it is doing

The film opens with Sunny Deol addressing a new batch of cadets at the National War Academy. In a stirring speech, he urges them to leave behind the lives they once knew, declaring that they will be broken and rebuilt so they are never broken again. He reminds them that from this moment on, their batchmates and officers are their family—a moment that firmly sets the tone for the film.

Nidhi Dutta’s story places strong emphasis on the human side of soldiers. They are not reduced to numbers or casualties on a battlefield; instead, the narrative consistently focuses on the individuals behind the uniforms. The screenplay by Sumit Arora and Anurag Singh keeps the audience engaged without leaning heavily on jingoistic dialogue. At a time when Hindi war films are often criticised for excessive nationalism, Border 2 largely avoids that pitfall.

Most of the film’s dialogue stems from restraint, anger born of provocation, and the instinct to protect one’s people and motherland, rather than chest-thumping rhetoric. The film reiterates India’s long-standing stance of not striking first but responding firmly when pushed. One particularly effective moment sees Fateh Singh respond to provocation from a Pakistani official after a long, deliberate silence.

Performances

Sunny Deol is the backbone of the film and commands every frame he appears in. He seems tailor-made for the role of a man in uniform, leading from the front with authority and conviction. As the only character carried over from Border, Deol delivers a near-perfect performance and remains the sole actor who makes whistle-worthy, big-screen dialogues land effortlessly.

Varun Dhawan plays Major Hoshiar Singh, a real-life hero of the 1971 war. After facing pre-release trolling, Dhawan lets his performance do the talking. He brings quiet strength and composure to his role without slipping into caricature or unintended humour.

Diljit Dosanjh is effortlessly charming and adds lightness to the narrative with his quirks, while also portraying a determined officer willing to give everything for the nation.

Ahan Shetty, the youngest among the leads, makes a sincere attempt as the Navy officer but struggles to stand out alongside stronger performers. Still, his effort suggests promise and a willingness to grow.

Music and background score

The film reworks the iconic Ghar Kab Aaoge and uses it effectively within the narrative rather than relegating it to the end credits. Placed after an emotionally charged sequence, the song captures the longing and vulnerability of soldiers fighting far from home. John Stewart Eduri’s background score further elevates the film, particularly during battle sequences, adding scale, urgency and emotional heft.

Conclusion

That said, Border 2 is not without its flaws. The lengthy runtime of 199 minutes does test patience in places, and a sharper edit could have tightened portions where the narrative briefly loses momentum. Some war sequences also feel stretched and, at times, border on unintentionally exaggerated.

All in all, Border 2 remains a sincere, emotionally grounded war film that respects its legacy while attempting to tell a more human story. Anchored by Sunny Deol’s commanding presence and supported by a largely restrained narrative, the film works best when it focuses on the people behind the patriotism. It may not match the iconic status of its predecessor, but it stands tall as a worthy, heartfelt successor.