Anurag Singh’s war drama Border 2 arrived in theatres on Jan 23, 2026 to packed houses and social media buzz. Early box-office reports confirmed a roaring start industry trackers put Day 1 net collections at around ₹30–32 crore, making it “the biggest opening of 2026 so far” matching last year’s Chhaava at ₹33.10 crore. Despite heavy north-India rains dampening some shows, strong word-of-mouth is expected to carry its performance through the Republic Day weekend. The social-media reaction has skewed enthusiasm, especially among Sunny Deol fans and patriots. Early Twitter/X posts highlighted Border 2’s nostalgic, rousing tone, one user called it “an emotion-packed battlefield experience” praised for its “thunderous nationalism”. The cast’s patriotism and sacrifice themes are being celebrated.
In line with that sentiment, many viewers said the film feels like a tribute to India’s soldiers: it “takes you back to your childhood” of watching the original Border, with Sunny Deol “carrying the same aura he had in Border 1”. Reflecting the common view that Border 2 is a must-watch for families seeking a nostalgic, stirring war saga.
Lead performances have been singled out: Varun Dhawan drew praise for his intense portrayal after all the memes targeting his one-sided smile, while Diljit Dosanjh’s veteran farm humor and a supporting turn by newcomer Ahan Shetty were called scene-stealers by many commenters, Ahan Shetty’s performance was panned by critics. Not everyone was unreserved in their praise. Some critics and viewers pointed out flaws in the production. One X user observes that the film is not without its flaws: its nearly 3.5-hour runtime, especially the long, back-to-back battle scenes “often feels stretched,” and its VFX seem comparatively undercooked.
While some social media users highlighted the pacing lag and said some wartime sequences looked less realistic than expected. One blunt tweet gave the film “2/5 stars,” calling it “absolutely boring” and even labeling it “a disaster”. Others joked that the movie is an “Ultra Disaster” or complained it rehashes the same slogans and sentiments without fresh nuance. Even one fan quipped that it “made a mockery of our Army.
Fans admit the film “is far from perfect” some said the CGI skies and effects could have been sharper but many shrugged off those issues. One fan’s one-word verdict summed it up: “Far from being perfect but it hits you where it wants to. … War sequences well executed apart from the disturbing CGI… A decent film.”
In the end, Border 2 has become a polarising crowd-pleaser, viewers are sharing both salutes and skepticism. What’s clear is that the fans’ opinions vary. Many applaud the film’s homage to the original Border and its message of heroism, while others criticize its length and technical shortcomings. For now, Border 2’s opening weekend is shaping up as a success, propelled by both nostalgia, criticism and debate. The film’s fate will be decided by moviegoers themselves. Fans will soon judge whether the patriotic highs outweigh the pacing lows. In the meantime, Border 2 remains fan-centric and free of easy answers let each viewer decide if it honors the legacy of the 1971 war or falls short.
