Bollywood star Varun Dhawan recently engaged with fans in a candid online session, dropping significant details about the much-anticipated sequel, Border 2. The interaction took a notable turn when a fan from neighbouring Pakistan inquired about the film's release, prompting a warm response from the actor about co-star Sunny Deol's cross-border popularity.
Border 2: A Tribute to the 1971 War and True Events
During an 'Ask Me Anything' (AMA) session on the social media platform X, Varun Dhawan confirmed the historical setting of the upcoming film. He revealed that Border 2 is based on the India-Pakistan war of 1971, drawing inspiration from certain true events surrounding the conflict. This mirrors the approach of the original 1997 blockbuster Border, directed by JP Dutta, which is considered a landmark in Indian cinema.
The sequel, directed by Anurag Singh, boasts a powerful ensemble cast including Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, and Diljit Dosanjh in pivotal roles. The film is scheduled for a grand theatrical release on January 23, 2025, perfectly timed for the Republic Day weekend.
A Pakistani Fan's Query and Varun's Diplomatic Reply
The AMA session highlighted the film's resonance beyond borders. A netizen from Pakistan asked, "Aapki film Border 2 kab release hogi. Main Tara Singh ka fan hu, unhei mera salaam bolna" (When will your film Border 2 release? I am a fan of Tara Singh, give him my regards).
While Varun did not comment on the official release plans for Pakistan, his reply focused on the universal appeal of his colleague. He stated, "I'm sure Sunny sir ke Pakistan mein bhi fans hain" (I'm sure Sunny sir has fans in Pakistan as well). The fan had specifically expressed admiration for Sunny Deol's iconic character Tara Singh from the Gadar film series.
Behind the Scenes: The Forces and The One-Man Army
Elaborating on what attracted him to the project, Varun Dhawan emphasized the collective effort required in warfare. "A war can never be won by an individual; it takes all forces to come together," he said. He explained that Border 2 uniquely showcases the synergy of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. To this formidable union, he added, "Also, the one man army, Sunny Deol."
Expressing his enthusiasm, Varun noted it was a privilege to work with legends like Sunny Deol and the versatile Diljit Dosanjh. When asked about the biggest lesson learned from Sunny Deol, he shared a piece of valuable advice: "Ignore the noise and connect with the audience."
Light-Hearted Banter and Personal Revelations
The session wasn't all serious. When a fan joked about his moustache for the film, Varun quipped, "Nahi nahi, I have grown an extra hand also. Please, properly dekhna." In a playful exchange about Marvel's Avengers: Doomsday, a user asked if he would return as Bhediya, to which Varun replied, "You never know."
Varun also opened up about his personal bonds, naming Janhvi Kapoor and Kriti Sanon as co-stars he is closest to in life. He also mentioned having a great time working with Ahaan Shetty and Diljit Dosanjh on the sets of Border 2.
Sharing a life lesson from his own experiences, the actor advised against schadenfreude. "Never laugh at someone's failure," he said, adding that the biggest lesson he has learned is that "time changes everything." On future projects, Varun clarified that he has not signed any new films as of now, keeping his focus squarely on the impending release of Border 2.
