Sunny Deol’s eagerly anticipated film, Border 2, is set to hit theaters on January 23, 2026. The sequel features a diverse ensemble cast, including Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, Ahan Shetty, Sonam Bajwa, and Mona Singh. Notably absent from the cast is Tabu, who played Deol’s wife in the original film.
In a recent interview with IANS, Nidhi Dutta, the film’s producer, explained Tabu’s exclusion. She clarified that Border 2 focuses on a different battle than the original 1997 film, which prompted the decision not to bring back all the characters from the first installment.
Dutta elaborated on why Tabu would not be reprising her role. She indicated that Sunny Deol’s character has also changed, further complicating the notion of continuity. “Sunny Deol is not playing Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri in the film,” she noted, emphasizing the character shift.
As the film prepares for release to coincide with Republic Day, reports suggest it may stir patriotic sentiments among audiences. Financially, the cast has reportedly received significant compensation. While salaries have not been officially disclosed, some estimates suggest that Deol is the highest-paid actor, allegedly earning Rs. 50 crore for his role.
This would not be the first time Deol has commanded a high salary; in the original Border, he was reportedly paid Rs. 1.2 crore. Other notable actors, including Varun Dhawan and Diljit Dosanjh, have also received impressive paychecks, with Dhawan’s earnings estimated between Rs. 8 crore and Rs. 10 crore, while Dosanjh reportedly earned Rs. 4-5 crore.
During a promotional event for Border 2, Sunny Deol became emotional while discussing his father, Dharmendra. He shared that his father’s film, Haqeeqat, served as a major inspiration for his work in the original Border. Reflecting on the personal loss, he succinctly expressed his feelings, stating he was unable to say more.
As excitement builds for the release of Border 2, fan reactions to the cast and storyline will soon unfold, further shaping the film’s reception.