Sunny Deol is all set to dominate the box office once again! Border 2 drops in theaters on January 23, 2026—just in time for the Republic Day long weekend—and the advance bookings are already on fire. The film has smashed past Sunny’s own recent release Jaat in pre-sales, with numbers climbing fast as fans rush to grab tickets for this epic patriotic sequel.
The hype feels electric. The original Border from 1997 is still remembered for its raw emotion, heroism, and massive footfalls. Now, Border 2 brings that same spirit back with bigger scale, modern action, and a powerhouse cast including Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty. With just two days left until release (as of January 21, 2026), expectations are soaring for a thunderous opening.
This could be the film that kicks off 2026 with a bang. Distributors are locking screens aggressively, and the patriotic vibe during Republic Day is a perfect match. Let’s dive into the latest details.
Also Read
Release Date and Holiday Advantage
Border 2 releases nationwide on January 23, 2026 (Friday), giving it a full four-day extended weekend thanks to Republic Day on January 26. Holidays like this often push collections through the roof, especially for mass-appeal films.
The runtime is over 3 hours 15 minutes (around 200 minutes), so theaters are planning extra shows to handle demand without cutting corners. This length puts it in the league of long epics like Animal or Pushpa 2, where occupancy stays high if the content clicks.
Massive Screen and Show Allocation Strategy
The makers and distributors are going all-in on visibility. The film is eyeing over 5,000 screens across India—one of the widest releases for a Bollywood film.
Show allocations are aggressive, especially in Sunny Deol’s strong North India belts:
- Single-screen theaters: Locked exclusively for Border 2 for the first two weeks—no competition allowed.
- Two-screen cinemas: All daily shows dedicated to the film.
- Multiplexes:
- 3-screen venues: Up to 12 shows per day
- 4-screen: 14 shows daily
- 5-screen: 16 shows
- 6-screen: 18 shows
- Larger chains: As many as 20 shows in the opening week
Current shows booked for opening day sit at around 8,371 (as of January 20 updates), but more are expected to open up. This strategy minimizes clashes and maximizes footfalls in mass circuits where word-of-mouth spreads quickly.
A cool bonus: The teaser for Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge (A-certified, about 1 minute 48 seconds) plays with every print from day one, adding extra excitement.
Advance Booking Surge – Latest Numbers
Advance bookings opened on January 19, 2026, and the momentum has been strong right from the start. As of the latest Sacnilk update on January 20, 2026:
- Real advance gross (excluding blocked seats): ₹2.63 crore
- Tickets sold: 82,333
- Shows available: 8,371
- With blocked seats included: Nearing ₹6 crore (and expected to jump big in the final 48 hours)
This real gross already beats the final first-day advance of Jaat (₹2.37 crore). Early trends showed quick pickups—some reports noted over 53,000–73,000 tickets sold within the first day or so, with hourly sales spiking on platforms like BookMyShow.
Comparisons stack up well:
- Outpaces early numbers from Dhurandhar and War 2 in similar phases.
- Trails far behind Gadar 2‘s massive ₹17.60 crore advance (with 722,821 tickets), but that’s a different beast—Border 2 is building healthily for its scale.
- National chains (PVRInox + Cinepolis) saw around 36,000 tickets for day one in some updates, with finals possibly hitting 150,000+ across chains.
The pace is accelerating, and with Republic Day hype, final advances could push much higher.
Predicted Opening Day and Early Box Office Outlook
No actual collections yet—the film releases January 23. But trade buzz is loaded with big predictions.
India nett opening day estimates:
- ₹35–40 crore (common trade range from Sacnilk and analysts)
- Some optimistic calls push toward ₹40–45 crore or even ₹45–50 crore if walk-ins and occupancy explode.
Worldwide opening could land in the ₹75–95 crore range, with possibilities of crossing ₹100 crore if the holiday surge hits hard and overseas adds ₹10–12 crore or more.
Republic Day (day three or four depending on counting) often delivers massive spikes—sometimes double or triple regular days. Patriotic themes thrive here, so sustained momentum looks likely if reviews highlight the emotions and action.
Why Border 2 Has Blockbuster Written All Over It
The legacy factor is huge. The first Border connected deeply with audiences through its portrayal of real heroism. Sunny Deol’s mass stardom carries that forward, amplified by a star-studded cast and high production values from T-Series.
No major clashes in key territories thanks to exclusive locks. Mass belts, single screens, and family crowds during the holiday weekend set up perfect conditions.
Social media is buzzing—fans are calling it Sunny’s strongest since Gadar 2, predicting repeat viewings and strong legs if the film delivers on patriotism and drama.
Pre-Release Advance Booking Snapshot
Here’s a clear table of the key advance data (primarily from Sacnilk as of January 20, 2026):
| Metric | Figure | Comparison/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Real Advance Gross (excl. blocked) | ₹2.63 Cr | Beats Jaat’s ₹2.37 Cr final advance |
| Tickets Sold | 82,333 | Across 8,371 shows |
| Advance with Blocked Seats | Nearing ₹6 Cr | Expected big surge before release |
| Sunny Deol Films Comparison | Border 2: ₹2.63 Cr (82K tickets) | Gadar 2: ₹17.60 Cr (722K tickets); Jaat: ₹2.37 Cr (113K tickets) |
| Predicted India Nett Day 1 | ₹35–40 Cr (up to ₹45–50 Cr optimistic) | Trade analysts, holiday boost factored |
| Predicted Worldwide Opening | ₹75–95 Cr+ (possible ₹100 Cr+) | With strong overseas and holiday spike |
These numbers show solid health and room for growth in the final stretch.
What to Watch After Release
Come January 23, daily collections will start rolling in. Friday might build steadily, Saturday ramps up, and Sunday/Monday (holiday) could deliver record spikes.
Positive word-of-mouth on performances, action sequences, and emotional beats could extend the run weeks in mass areas. The screen domination helps avoid early drop-offs.
Keep an eye on Sacnilk, Bollywood Hungama, and other trackers for real-time day-wise updates starting release day.
Final Verdict on the Hype
Border 2 is shaping up as a true event film. Sunny Deol’s return to patriotic territory, killer timing, aggressive showcasing, and sizzling advances point to a monster start.
Whether it hits ₹40 crore nett on day one or climbs even higher depends on the final booking rush and opening occupancy. Either way, it’s positioned to break records and honor the original while carving new ground.
If you love high-stakes war dramas with heart, this is your weekend movie. Tickets are moving fast—don’t wait too long.
Republic Day 2026 just got epic. Stay tuned for day-wise collection reports once the numbers start pouring in—this could be one for the history books.