MUMBAI, India, Jan. 22, 2026
Sunny Deol-starrer Border 2 has reportedly been banned in several Gulf countries just one day before its scheduled release on January 23, according to media reports.
The film, featuring Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty in key roles, has been denied release clearance in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain.
Reports indicate that local censors in these countries viewed the film’s content as anti-Pakistan. A similar fate recently befell the Ranbir Singh-starrer Dhurandhar, which faced bans in the region for comparable reasons.
Discussions reportedly involved requests to modify sensitive scenes and symbols, including changes to the tricolor display on aircraft and the name of a warship. The modifications were not implemented, leading to the denial of release approval.
In India, excitement for the film remains high, with strong advance bookings signaling a potential blockbuster opening during the Republic Day extended weekend.
Trade analysts predict a first-day net collection between ₹40 crore and ₹50 crore. As of Wednesday evening, advance bookings have already grossed over ₹7 crore, including blocked seats.
National multiplex chains have sold more than 1.80 lakh tickets so far, with particularly strong demand in single-screen theaters and mass belts in northern India, creating buzz comparable to Gadar 2.
Border 2, a sequel based on stories from the 1971 India-Pakistan war, has received a ‘UA’ certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) with a runtime of 3 hours and 19 minutes.
The film is set for a wide release across more than 5,000 screens in India, positioned to capitalize on the Republic Day holiday period.
