Border 2 first review awards 4.5 stars to ‘thunderous’ film, hails ‘vintage’ Sunny Deol; ‘Varun Dhawan springs a surprise’

Sunny Deol-led war drama Border 2 hit theatres on Friday (January 23), and ahead of its release, the film’s first review has surfaced. Trade analyst and critic Taran Adarsh shared his verdict shortly after midnight, praising the Anurag Singh directorial for blending spectacle with emotion and calling Sunny Deol “the beating heart of the film.”

First review of Border 2
Taran awarded the film 4.5 stars, writing on X (formerly Twitter), “Border 2 makes your heart swell with pride… The film salutes the nation as well as the armed forces… STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.” He described the film as a “thunderous, emotionally charged war epic” that honours the legacy of the 1997 classic Border while staying true to the spirit of the 1971 war.

Praising the scale and execution, Taran said the war sequences are “breathtaking,” adding that the action never feels hollow and consistently serves both the narrative and the characters’ emotional arcs.

He also highlighted the dialogues and music as major strengths. “Dialogues are a major high point — sharp, hard-hitting and patriotic without being jingoistic,” he wrote, noting that several punchlines are likely to trigger applause in theatres. The music, including recreated versions of iconic tracks Ghar Kab Aaoge and Jaate Hue Lamhon, was described as deeply moving.

Performances win praise
Sunny Deol received special mention, with Taran calling his performance “vintage Sunny Deol — commanding, righteous and unforgettable.” “When he roars, the theatre is sure to erupt,” he wrote.

Varun Dhawan was described as a “big surprise,” praised for bringing “intensity, vulnerability and fire” to his role. Diljit Dosanjh was called “a sheer delight to watch in every sequence,” while Ahan Shetty was noted for holding his own alongside seasoned performers.

About the film
Directed by Anurag Singh, Border 2 is the sequel to J.P. Dutta’s iconic 1997 war drama Border. The film stars Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty, and is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, J.P. Dutta and Nidhi Dutta. The film released in theatres on January 23, ahead of Republic Day.