Co-produced by JP Dutta and directed by Anurag Singh, Border 2 has finally hit the big screens. The movie is a sequel to the 1997 blockbuster, Border. Starring Diljit Dosanjh, Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, and Ahan Shetty, Border 2 is based on the 1971 India-Pakistan war. The trailer hinted at a classic patriotic war epic. But is the movie worth watching? Read our review of Border 2 to find out.

Border 2 movie review: The plot

The film portrays India’s triple-front attack as a response to Pakistan’s Operation Changez Khan in 1971. Border 2 opens with Sunny Deol as Lt Col Fateh Singh Kaler from the 6 Sikh Regiment. The movie introduces Diljit Dosanjh as Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, a courageous and lively soldier who yearns to win everything he puts his heart into. Varun Dhawan plays Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya, who is determined to face Pakistani forces near the Basantar River in Jammu and Kashmir. Border 2 casts Ahan Shetty as Lt Cdr MS Rawat, a reckoning force for the enemies at the Arabian Sea. Coming from different branches of the armed forces, Diljit, Varun, and Ahan share a wholesome bond that defines the unity of the Indian military.

What we loved about Border 2

The movie starts off well, with Sunny Deol’s fierce and charismatic character setting the film’s momentum. What starts as an intense combat gradually shifts to a mellow vibe. Instead of skipping directly to the warfare, Border 2 beautifully portrays the personal stories of all the leading characters. It shows their families and their love lives, making the stories more emotional for the viewers. But the most engaging part of Border 2 is the training sequence.

The way the characters played by Diljit, Varun, and Ahan bond with each other and their friendly rivalry as military cadets makes the story feel more human. The buildup will almost make you forget that you came to watch a war movie. Border 2 tries to balance the classic war genre with some wholesome bits after every emotional or intense sequence. Diljit, Varun, and Sunny Deol do complete justice to their roles with spectacular acting. Ahan delivers a decent performance, bringing his father Suniel Shetty’s charm back to the screen. Border 2 also stars Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Anya Singh, and Medha Rana in supporting roles. Mona and Medha, in particular, deliver brilliance in every shot.

What we didn’t love about Border 2

While the movie will put a smile on your face quite often, there are also some things that fall flat. Even though Border 2 does a great job of building personal backstories, the three-hour runtime makes some of those moments feel unnecessarily stretched. As a result, the main plot takes a backseat, testing your patience at times. And despite the emotional backdrop, the movie gives its female characters very little screen time, especially Anya Singh. The dialogues, too, don’t always land. At times, they feel forced and performative, almost trying too hard to remind us that we’re watching a war film. The war sequences also lean heavily on VFX, which dulls the raw impact the movie initially aims for. Despite all this, Border 2 still makes for a decent one-time watch.

Border 2 is now running in theatres.

Can you watch Border 2 with your family? Yes, the movie doesn’t portray explicit intimacy or obscene language.

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