Border 2 Shatters Records: Sunny Deol's Sequel Eyeing Biggest Opening

Border 2, the war drama featuring Sunny Deol in the leading role, is set to arrive in theatres on the Republic Day 2026 weekend. The film is generating unprecedented momentum at the box office, with Border 2 making a total of ₹11.21 crore in its advance bookings across India. Industry analysts are predicting a historic opening that could cement Sunny Deol's status as Bollywood's box office powerhouse.

Record-Breaking Advance Bookings

The advance ticket sales for Border 2 represent a watershed moment for Hindi cinema. The war drama's advance booking has topped ₹10 crore ahead of its first day at the box office, with Border 2 making a total of ₹11.21 crore in its advance bookings across India. Key contributors to the film's robust advance booking are Delhi (₹2.39 crore), Maharashtra (₹1.69 crore), Uttar Pradesh (₹1.14 crore), Gujarat (₹80.81 lakh), and Rajasthan (₹69.79 lakh), as per film trade portal Sacnilk.

As on Thursday at 2 PM, Border 2 has sold 75,000 tickets across the national multiplex chains and is on track to hit the 1,40,000 mark by the end of the day. This extraordinary momentum in pre-sales suggests that walk-in audiences during the extended Republic Day weekend could further amplify the opening collection.

Eyeing ₹32-40 Crore Opening

Trade experts are bullish on Border 2's opening day performance. Based on current trends, Border 2 is expected to open in the range of Rs 32 to Rs 35 crore net on Day 1 in India. However, some estimates suggest it could come close to Rs 40 crore. As per trade experts, Border 2's opening day collection is likely to beat the opening day collections of Ranveer Singh-led spy thriller (₹28 crore) and Vicky Kaushal's Chhaava (₹31 crore), with Sunny Deol's latest film likely to open anywhere between ₹32-40 crore at the domestic box office in India.

If that happens, Border 2 would overtake the Rs 40.1 crore opening of Gadar 2, making it the biggest opening of Sunny Deol's career. The pricing advantage and blockbuster positioning could play a crucial role in pushing the collections higher than raw ticket numbers suggest.

Stellar Star Power and Production Scale

The film stars Sunny Deol in the lead role, along with Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, Ahan Shetty, Sonam Bajwa, Medha Rana, and Mona Singh. Sunny Deol's Border 2 is scheduled for grand release in 4800 cinema halls with 17,000 per day in the domestic market.

Set against the backdrop of the India–Pakistan war of 1971, the film serves as a multi-front war drama, expanding the scope of its predecessor by featuring the combined operations of the Indian Armed Forces – Army, Air Force, and Navy. Border 2 is an action war drama film, which has been written and directed by Anurag Singh, and is about young Indian fighters who are prepared to protect their homeland from a greater threat during the 1971 Indo-Pak War.

Perfect Timing and Market Position

The timing of Border 2's release cannot be understated. The film's release date, January 23, just ahead of Republic Day, is expected to further boost footfalls, especially over the long weekend, with war dramas and patriotic films traditionally performing well during this period, and exhibitors anticipating strong occupancy across single screens and multiplexes alike.

Early indicators suggest that Sunny Deol's much-anticipated war drama is heading for a powerful opening at the box office, with trade circles predicting numbers that could rewrite several records for the veteran actor. The film arrives at a time when Hindi cinema is seeking a major success, and Border 2 is positioned to be Bollywood's first blockbuster of 2026.

Emerging Competition and International Appeal

Border 2 enjoys a significant competitive advantage with its solo release window. The movie has no significant competition until Shahid Kapoor and Vishal Bharadwaj's O' Romeo. Beyond the domestic market, in Australia, the film is outselling War 2 and Dhurandhar by nearly double the sales for opening day.

However, the film faces restrictions in certain international markets. The war drama has been banned in 6 Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, over 'anti-Pakistan' content, as per a report in Bollywood Hungama. Despite this limitation, strong overseas pre-sales suggest healthy international business outside these territories.

Sunny Deol's Career Trajectory

For Sunny Deol, Border 2 represents a chance to build on the phenomenal success of Gadar 2. This would mark a massive jump for Sunny Deol, whose previous release Jaat had opened at Rs 9 crore. The veteran actor's consistent presence in patriotic films has endeared him to audiences in mass markets and smaller cities, where advance bookings for Border 2 show exceptional strength.

As the film approaches its release, all eyes are on whether it can deliver the commercial blockbuster that the industry desperately needs to sustain 2026's momentum. With record-breaking advance bookings, strategic positioning, and a compelling ensemble cast, Border 2 appears ready to shatter opening day records and announce itself as the year's first major box office phenomenon.