Suniel Shetty says he would have returned for ‘Border 2’ if his character had survived

Actor Suniel Shetty on Monday said filmmaker J.P. Dutta’s 1997 war classic Border remains one of the most defining films of his career, adding that he would have gladly returned for the sequel had his character survived in the original.

Shetty, who played Captain Bhairon Singh, an Indian Army officer martyred in the film — was speaking at the launch of “Jaate Hue Lamhon”, a recreated song from Border , now featured in the upcoming Border 2 . The sequel is slated for theatrical release on January 23.

Recalling his experience, the 64-year-old actor said portraying a character inspired by real-life events was both challenging and emotionally intense. “Playing a reel-life character is easy, but essaying a real-life character is very difficult. I was scared when I was offered the role,” he told reporters.

Shetty said the death sequence of his character gave him a sense of pride. “When you die for the country, it feels good. But for the first time, I felt that if I was alive in Border , I would have been part of Border 2 . I always had the itch to wear the uniform again,” he said.

Directed by Anurag Singh, Border 2 brings back Sunny Deol and introduces a new ensemble cast including Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty, Suniel Shetty’s son.

The actor expressed gratitude to filmmaker J.P. Dutta for casting Ahan in the sequel, calling it a significant opportunity early in his career. Ahan plays a naval officer in the film, only his second project after his 2021 debut Tadap .

“People think he will automatically get work because he is my son, but that is not true. He has gone through a lot. Getting a film like Border at this stage is a blessing,” Shetty said, adding that he hopes his son has done justice to the role.

Ahan Shetty, who became emotional at the event, thanked his parents and co-stars for their support. He also praised Sunny Deol, calling him a constant source of encouragement during the shoot.

Produced by Bhushan Kumar, J.P. Dutta and Nidhi Dutta, and presented by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series in association with J.P. Films, Border 2 also stars Mona Singh, Sonam Bajwa, Anya Singh and Medha Rana in key roles.

The original Border , released in 1997, was based on the Battle of Longewala during the 1971 India–Pakistan war and went on to become one of Hindi cinema’s most successful and iconic war films.