Akshaye Khanna Could Have Featured in ‘Border 2’: How ‘Dhurandhar’ Shaped Casting Decisions

The upcoming film Border 2 has sparked widespread discussion ahead of its release, with fans comparing the movie’s songs, cast, and storyline to the iconic 1997 film Border. Many viewers have questioned the exclusion of actors Akshaye Khanna and Suniel Shetty, noting that their characters in the original movie had met their fate. However, experts suggest that these actors could have been included in Border 2 under certain circumstances.

Not a Sequel, But an Untold Story
Directed by Anurag Singh, Border 2 is not a direct sequel to Border but explores untold stories of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force working together during the 1971 India-Pakistan war. This creative approach could have allowed the return of actors from the original film in new roles, despite their characters’ earlier endings.

Casting Changes and Character Opportunities
In Border, Sunny Deol played Major Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri. In Border 2, he portrays Lieutenant Colonel Fateh Singh. With this shift in roles, it could have opened the door for Akshaye Khanna and Suniel Shetty to appear as new characters, providing continuity while introducing fresh storylines.

Why Akshaye Khanna’s Character Was Excluded
Akshaye Khanna originally played 2nd Lieutenant Dharamveer Singh Bhan, who heroically fought in the Battle of Longewala during the 1971 war but was depicted as having died in the movie. Some argue that if Dhurandhar—Khanna’s 2024 film—had released earlier, his character could have been kept alive and incorporated into Border 2 with a meaningful role.

Missed Opportunity
Filmmakers had initially offered Sunny Deol a sequel back in 2015, but a series of box office failures delayed the project. With Deol’s triumphant comeback in Gadar 2 (2023), the makers revived Border 2 with a new ensemble cast, inadvertently sidelining talented actors like Khanna. While Dhurandhar gave certain actors a platform to shine, Border 2 missed an opportunity to reintroduce some of its original stars.

Release Details
Border 2 is set to release on Republic Day, January 23, 2026, featuring Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty. Early reactions to the trailer and songs have been mixed, with fans expressing nostalgia for the original while scrutinizing the new cast.