TTD Ramana Deekshitulu Ramana Dikshitulu Meets YS Jagan at Lotus Pond | Hyderabad

Bollywood’s box office momentum continues to surge, marking a strong purple patch for the industry over the past few months. After delivering 2025’s biggest blockbuster with Dhurandhar, which amassed over ₹1,300 crore gross worldwide, the new year has begun on an equally promising note with the thunderous opening of Border 2.

Riding heavily on nostalgia, the sequel factor, and the phenomenal success of Sunny Deol’s previous blockbuster Gadar 2, the war drama opened to a sensational ₹30 crore net on its first day. This impressive figure surpasses Dhurandhar’s opening of ₹28.6 crore on December 5, underscoring the strong audience pull for high-octane patriotic cinema.

Benefiting from a Friday holiday across several North Indian states, Border 2 recorded robust footfalls nationwide. The strong opening came despite mixed critical reviews and average word of mouth, with some viewers pointing out narrative inconsistencies and technical shortcomings. While the film did not match the historic opening-day numbers of Gadar 2, trade analysts have still labelled the start as exceptional for a sequel-driven project.

The film had already built momentum ahead of release, selling over four lakh tickets in advance bookings. Positive user ratings on online ticketing platforms further indicate solid audience interest. The theatrical trailer generated significant buzz, and the absence of major competing releases helped Border 2 secure a clear run at the box office.

While the response from Hindi-speaking audiences and critics has been largely encouraging, reactions from South Indian markets have been mixed. Common criticisms include underwhelming VFX work and a lack of emotional depth compared to the iconic 1997 original.

Nevertheless, if Border 2 continues to resonate with core Hindi-belt audiences, trade experts believe the film could maintain strong collections in the coming weeks. The nostalgic appeal of the original Border remains a key advantage and could help the sequel enjoy a sustained theatrical run.

Directed by Anurag Singh, the film sees Sunny Deol reprise the lead role, supported by an ensemble cast featuring Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty. Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Anya Singh, and Medha Rana play pivotal roles.