Border 2, starring Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty, hit theatres on January 23, 2026, and struck an emotional chord with audiences across the country. Directed by Anurag Singh, the epic war drama managed to carve its own identity despite inevitable comparisons to its iconic predecessor. With strong performances and patriotic fervor, the film enjoyed a successful run at the box office.
To celebrate the film’s success, the team hosted a special media meet-and-greet in Mumbai on February 12. During the interaction, Varun Dhawan, who portrayed Param Vir Chakra recipient Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya, opened up about the challenges he faced before the film’s release — and the unexpected support he received from Salman Khan.
Ahead of Border 2’s release, Varun found himself at the center of social media trolling. A brief moment in the trailer, where he was seen smiling, sparked criticism online. Many questioned whether he was suited to play a serious war hero, casting doubts on his casting. However, Varun chose to remain silent and let his performance speak for itself.
Speaking to the media, the Badlapur actor revealed that during the height of the trolling, he received a late-night call from Salman Khan. “When all this was happening, I got a call from Salman bhai at night. He was just laughing and said, ‘Good things are about to come.’ That’s all he told me,” Varun shared. He added that Salman’s belief in him meant a great deal during that difficult phase.
After Border 2 proved its mettle at the box office, Salman called again — this time with words that deeply moved Varun. Recalling the moment, he said, “It was 2 am and after hearing what he said, I literally stood up on my bed. He told me, ‘I am proud of you, beta.’ That was a defining moment for me because he doesn’t praise people easily.”
Varun admitted that Salman’s appreciation gave him immense confidence. “He didn’t need to do that, but his praise meant a lot,” he said, adding that he always believed in the film and left the rest to faith.
Apart from the lead stars, Border 2 also featured Anya Singh, Medha Rana, and Sonam Bajwa, whose performances were equally appreciated by audiences. With its emotional depth and patriotic spirit, the film has now cemented its place as a memorable chapter in modern war cinema.
