Fans of the classic movie Border have been waiting nearly thirty years for a sequel. However, just one day before it hits theaters on January 23, 2026, reports say that Border 2 has been banned in six Gulf countries. As per a report by Bollywood Hungama, the film has been banned in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. As per report, the reason behind the ban is ‘anti-Pakistan’ content.
A second blow for Bollywood
This is the second big Indian movie to face a ban like this in just the last two months. Recently, Ranveer Singh’s huge spy hit Dhurandhar was also stopped from releasing in the same six countries for the exact same reason.
Even though Dhurandhar was a massive hit, the ban was a major financial blow. The movie’s overseas distributor, Pranab Kapadia, said they lost about $10 million (around Rs 90 crore) because they couldn’t show it in the Gulf. This is a big loss because Indian action movies usually make a lot of money in that part of the world.
The team stays focused on the big picture
The people behind Border 2 did try to get the film cleared by the local boards, but it didn’t work. While there’s a tiny bit of hope that things could change at the last minute, it’s unlikely the movie will play in those countries tomorrow.
Border 2brings back Sunny Deol in his iconic role nearly three decades later, joined by a new generation of stars including Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty.
Border 2: Strong advance bookings
Even before the first show begins, the film is already putting up big numbers. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, Border 2 has already crossed Rs 10 crore in advance ticket sales across India. With over 13,000 shows lined up for opening day, trade experts are predicting a huge start. This follows the massive success of Ranveer Singh’s Dhurandhar, which has dominated the box office so far in 2025. Many are now wondering if Border 2 can break those records.
Border 2: Story, cast and more
Directed by Anurag Singh, the film is a tribute to the heroes of the 1971 India-Pakistan war. It tells the stories of three Param Vir Chakra winners, covering air defense, tank battles, and naval operations. The movie has a runtime of 3 hours and 20 minutes, and was reportedly made on a massive budget of Rs 350 crore.
While the film is built on patriotism, it hasn’t escaped the internet’s funny side. Social media is already full of memes, with many fans debating Varun Dhawan’s performance. On the other hand, the pairing of Diljit Dosanjh and Sonam Bajwa has received a lot of praise. The movie also marks the debut of Suniel Shetty’s son, Ahan Shetty.