In a significant boost for the makers of the upcoming war epic Border 2, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has officially cleared the film for release with a U/A 13+ rating. Notably, the board has granted the film a “no-cut” status regarding its high-octane action sequences and intense dialogues, opting instead for specific technical and archival modifications.
The film, which has a massive runtime of 3 hours and 19 minutes, is set to hit theaters on January 23, 2026, perfectly timed for the Republic Day weekend.
Unlike many recent big-budget releases that faced heavy editing, Border 2 has emerged from the certification process with its creative core intact. The examining committee reportedly found the film’s depiction of the 1971 Indo-Pak war to be within the bounds of mature storytelling for audiences above 13.
However, the clearance came with a list of “suggested modifications” that focus on historical accuracy and national symbolism rather than narrative censorship.
The board requested the replacement of the Indian tricolor visuals on certain warplanes to align with specific aviation and cinematograph guidelines. A prominent warship featured in the naval sequences has been renamed to “Kavach” in the film’s audio and visual assets.
The CBFC directed the makers to use the full and actual name of Sunny Deol’s character, Lt. Col. Fateh Singh Kaler, in the opening and closing credits. The font size and duration of text on-screen providing information about real-life war heroes have been increased to ensure they are legible and respectful.
The board asked for a verification of the emblems on the soldiers’ uniforms, which the producers successfully cross-checked with Indian Army veterans.
While the domestic clearance is a victory, the film is reportedly facing a ban in several Gulf countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. Similar to the recent release Dhurandhar, the “anti-Pakistan” rhetoric and patriotic fervor—highlighted by Sunny Deol’s viral “Lahore” dialogue in the trailer—have made it difficult to secure overseas exhibition rights in those regions.
Domestically, the film is tracking for a massive opening. With over 17,000 shows planned across 5,000 screens, trade analysts expect a Day 1 collection in the range of ₹35–40 crore.
“The board’s decision to avoid cuts to the action and dialogue shows a growing trust in the filmmaker’s vision for a historical drama,” says a trade expert. “By focusing on technical accuracy, the CBFC ensures the film is factually sound without compromising the cinematic impact.”
Border 2 stars Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty, and is directed by Anurag Singh. It remains one of the most anticipated sequels in Indian cinema history, following the legacy of J.P. Dutta’s 1997 classic. To know such latest updates tuned to tellyboosters.com Thank you!
