- By Sidhi Agarwall
- Thu, 22 Jan 2026 08:31 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Border 2 Cast Then vs Now: One of the most awaited Bollywood films of 2026, Border 2, is all set to release in theatres on January 23, 2026. The patriotic war drama pays tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and bravery of Indian soldiers. Serving as a sequel to JP Dutta’s iconic 1997 film Border, the new instalment is co-written and directed by Anurag Singh and is set against the backdrop of the 1971 India-Pakistan war. As excitement builds around the film’s release, here’s a complete then-and-now look at the Border 2 cast, comparing the original stars with the new generation of actors joining the franchise.
Original Border Stars Making A Comeback
Sunny Deol
Sunny Deol returns as Lt Col Fateh Singh Kaler, an Indian Army officer from the 6 Sikh Regiment. The actor was one of the pillars of the original Border and continues to carry the emotional weight of the franchise.
Suniel Shetty (Cameo)
Suniel Shetty appears in a cameo as AC Bhairon Singh Rathore, SM, a BSF officer associated with the Battle of Longewala. Though his role is brief, it adds nostalgia for fans of the 1997 classic.
Akshaye Khanna (Cameo)
Fresh from the success of Dhurandhar, Akshaye Khanna returns in a cameo as 2nd Lt Dharamvir Bhakhri, the role that first made him widely popular. His appearance is expected to be one of the film’s emotional highlights.
Sudesh Berry (Cameo)
Veteran actor Sudesh Berry reprises his role as Nb Sub Mathura Das, a section leader in the Longewala battle unit.
(Image: X/@SlumDogReviwer)
Meet New Faces Of Border 2
Varun Dhawan
Varun Dhawan plays Hoshiar Singh Dahiya, PVC, an Indian Army officer from the 3 Grenadiers. This marks one of the most serious and intense roles of his career.
Diljit Dosanjh
Singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh essays the role of Flight Officer Nirmal Jit Singh, bringing emotional depth and strength to the narrative.
Ahan Shetty
Ahan Shetty is seen as Lt Commander M. S. Rawat, an Indian Navy officer from INS Khukri.
(Image: X/@_PatilVishwajit)
Mona Singh
Mona Singh plays the wife of Sunny Deol’s character, adding emotional grounding to the story.
Sonam Bajwa
Popular Punjabi actress Sonam Bajwa appears as Manjit Sekhon, the wife of Diljit Dosanjh’s character.
Medha Rana
Making her debut, Medha Rana plays Dhano Devi Dahiya, Varun Dhawan’s on-screen wife.
Anya Singh
Anya Singh is cast as Rawat’s wife, opposite Ahan Shetty.
Border (1997): Then And Now
Released in 1997, Border became a landmark film in Indian cinema. Actors like Sunny Deol, Akshaye Khanna, Suniel Shetty, Tabu, Pooja Bhatt, and Jackie Shroff left a lasting impact. Over the years, their careers have evolved, but their performances in Border remain unforgettable.
Border 2 Run-Time And Budget
Reportedly made on a massive budget of Rs 150-200 crore, Border 2 has a run-time of around 200 minutes, which makes it approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes long. The film promises large-scale war sequences, emotional storytelling, and a strong patriotic core.