Border 2: Varun Dhawan’s legacy moving forward could be a battle to reinvent him

Actor Varun Dhawan is preparing for the most defining role of his career, ‘Border 2’. A spiritual successor to JP Dutta’s 1997 blockbuster ‘Border’, this new chapter of the franchise brings back Sunny Deol and introduces Dhawan to completely untested territory: the battlefield. For many it may be just another patriotic film, but for Dhawan, it is a career crossroads moment. At 38, he’s stepping into an area far from his trademark Spices Entertainers.

‘Border 2’ will be Dhawan’s first full-fledged war drama – a change from his comfort zone of dance-heavy blockbusters and light-hearted romances. In the movie, He plays the role of Colonel Hoshiar Singh DahiyaA distinguished Indian Army officer, who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra for his extraordinary courage during the Indo-Pak War of 1971. Known for leading his troops under intense enemy fire and refusing to retreat despite being seriously injured, Hoshiar Singh’s real-life story is one of grit, sacrifice and leadership – a role that demanded both physical toughness and emotional depth.

Dhawan’s portrayal of such a personality could redefine how the audience understands him. Speaking to trade expert Ramesh Bala says, “‘Border 2’ marks an exciting phase in Varun Dhawan’s journey.” IndiaToday.inHe further added, “She’s always been known for her energy and mass appeal, but this film allows her to explore a deeper, more intense emotional space, It’s not just a shift in style, it’s a statement that she’s ready to take on layered, performance-driven roles that connect with audiences and filmmakers alike,”

For Dhawan, whose recent years have been marked by experimentation from the quirky ‘Bhediya’ to OTT ventures and collective projects, ‘Border 2’ could be the project that combines scale with substance. This is a film that may promise spectacle, but it also promises introspection. With Sunny Deol’s enduring patriotic persona, Diljit Dosanjh’s boyish charm and Dhawan’s youthful intensity, the casting alone suggests an emotional and generational balance that could appeal to a wider demographic.

But what will define success for Dhawan at this level? Bala puts it into perspective: “For a film like ‘Border 2’, success is not just about the numbers – although the benchmark of Rs 200-250 crore nett in India will certainly underline its box office strength. More importantly, it is about the emotional impact and connect with the audience. If people come out with pride, tears and goosebumps, that’s when the film truly wins – for both Varun and Hindi cinema. For.”

Dhawan’s recent trajectory shows that an actor is unwilling to be bound by genre or expectation. Although he’s back to his comfort zone – the loud, commercial comedies that made him a household name, he hasn’t done so without venturing into darker, riskier territory like ‘Badlapur’ or ‘October’, experimenting with tone, medium and even audience base. Yet, as Bala believes, “Every actor goes through a phase of exploration, and Varun’s choice of OTT and ensemble casts have only added new shades to his craft. ‘Border 2’ is about evolution. A film of this scale and emotion can reaffirm his status as a crowd-puller, while also showing how far he has come as an artiste.”

For Dhawan, ‘Border 2’ is a test of development. If ‘Badrinath Ki Dulhania’ gave Dhawan his mass appeal and ‘October’ proved his artistic depth, ‘Border 2’ could be a bridge between the two worlds – a film that matches box office and credibility, heroism and humanity.

As Varun Dhawan steps into the shoes of Colonel Hoshiar Singh Dahiya, he steps into a legacy bigger than himself. It will be interesting to see how the film expands his filmography into something never seen before, and perhaps, redefine his place in the industry.