Suniel Shetty will watch Border 2 only after it crosses Rs 500 crore

Legions of fans have flocked to the theatres to watch Border 2 since its release. Yet, one person has quietly stayed away from the Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, Varun Dhawan, and Ahan Shetty-starrer — Suniel Shetty. Last week, even as Suniel attended the première of his son’s war drama, he was seen hanging outside the auditorium, while his wife Mana Shetty, daughter Athiya, and son-in-law KL Rahul watched the movie with Ahan. “I sat for three-and-a-half hours outside the theatre, meeting people and soaking in all the compliments,” he smiled, recalling the evening.

Some may be baffled by his decision. But others may identify with Suniel, seeing how his deep desire for his son’s success led him to make a vow. “I had said from Day One that I will not watch Border 2 until it crosses a worldwide collection of R500 crore. I had kept a mannat for Ahan. Till now, I haven’t watched a single frame. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not arrogance about the film,” shared the senior actor, who had played Assistant Commandant Bhairon Singh Rathore in the 1997 original directed by JP Dutta.

Ahan Shetty, Varun Dhawan, and Diljit Dosanjh in the film

What happens if director Anurag Singh’s latest instalment — which depicts a chapter of the 1971 India-Pakistan war — falls short of the figure? Suniel is hopeful that a father’s prayers will not go unanswered. “I am hoping it will cross Rs 500 crore. Mana loved Border 2. Everybody who has watched the film has appreciated Ahan’s work. I am happy that after Dhurandhar [2025], another Hindi movie has worked brilliantly.”

Hopefully it will be a matter of time before the proud father can watch the movie on the big screen. He has already made plans for the big day. “I will watch it with Ahan, his friends, and my family. I will also take Sunny paaji, Varun, and all of them with me. It will probably be the second time for them, but it will be my first. I don’t know how many times I will watch it after that. I have always been proud of Ahan and his decisions. He strongly believed that Border 2 was the film he wanted to do.”