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On Monday, January 19, 2026, actor Varun Dhawan officially announced that advance bookings for the highly anticipated war epic Border 2 are now open across India. The announcement comes just four days before the film’s grand theatrical release on January 23, 2026, strategically timed for the Republic Day long weekend.
The Viral Announcement
Varun shared a series of “dapper” photos on Instagram, sporting an all-brown ensemble—blazer, tie, and trousers—alongside co-stars Sonam Bajwa and Medha Rana.
- The Caption: He wrote a poignant tribute to the armed forces: “Woh mitti ke bete jo wapas na laute. Advance booking open now!” (The sons of the soil who did not return. Advance booking open now!)
- Social Media Buzz: A romantic promotional reel featuring Varun and Medha Rana to the song Pyaari Lage has already amassed over 6 lakh likes, highlighting the fresh chemistry between the leads.
Early Box Office Trends (Jan 19, 2026)
The film has already begun “roaring” at the box office within hours of bookings opening:
- Ticket Sales: As of Monday afternoon, Border 2 has already registered ticket sales worth ₹1.94 crore gross (excluding blocked seats) for Day 1.
- National Chains: It has sold approximately 28,000 tickets across PVR, INOX, and Cinepolis alone.
- Screen Count: The film is set for a massive release on over 5,200 screens nationwide, making it one of the largest Bollywood releases in recent history.
- Milestones: Pre-sales have already surpassed those of Salman Khan’s Sikandar and Akshay Kumar’s Kesari Chapter 2 at the same stage.
Film Details & Real-Life Inspirations
Border 2 is more than just a sequel; it honors the combined forces of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force:
- Varun Dhawan: Portrays Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya (PVC), a real-life Param Vir Chakra winner from the 3 Grenadiers.
- Sunny Deol: Returns as Lt Col Fateh Singh Kaler (6 Sikh Regiment), the only returning actor from the 1997 original.
- Diljit Dosanjh: Plays the legendary Fg Offr Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon (PVC), the only IAF officer awarded the Param Vir Chakra.
- Ahan Shetty: Debuts as Lt Cdr M.S. Rawat of the INS Khukri, representing the Indian Navy.