The first major box office story of 2026 is unfolding well before a single ticket buyer has walked into a cinema. Advance bookings for Border 2, the much-anticipated war action sequel starring Sunny Deol are already showing strong momentum, indicating a powerful opening when the film releases nationwide on January 23, 2026.
Early ticket sales exceed expectations
Border 2 began its advance booking phase with limited ticket availability, yet even in this restricted window the film sold more pre-sale tickets than Salman Khan’s Sikandar did in a similar early period. On ticketing platform BookMyShow, Border 2 sold approximately 8,280 tickets during the limited pre-sale about 48 % more than Sikandar’s 5,720 tickets over the same time frame.
This early interest suggests that Border 2 is drawing audiences not just because of its star power but also due to its nostalgic connection to the original Border (1997), which remains one of Indian cinema’s most beloved patriotic war films.promising signs for opening weekIndustry trackers note that some ticket counters, including national chains such as PVR INOX and Cinepolis, have already sold close to 10,000 seats for opening day shows, signalling strong enthusiasm across the board.
Meanwhile, around 40 % of cinemas nationwide have started full advance bookings, and smaller but steady sales are already taking place at major theatre chains outcomes that point toward a significant opening weekend for the film.
What’s driving audience excitement
A combination of factors appears to be driving the buzz. Border 2 reunites Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty in a high-budget war saga helmed by director Anurag Singh. The franchise’s patriotic theme has traditionally resonated strongly with Indian audiences, and the recently released trailer praised by filmmakers like Karan Johar for being dramatic, patriotic and emotional has added to the anticipation.
Fans and insiders are also closely watching whether Border 2 can challenge the booking records set by some of 2025’s biggest films, especially War 2, which logged more than 800,000 advance ticket sales on BookMyShow last year.
What this means for 2026’s box office
If the early trends continue as bookings scale nationwide, Border 2 could emerge as one of the first major hits of 2026 and perhaps reset expectations for patriotic war films at the box office. With its combination of veteran leadership and current stars, the sequel is poised to turn strong early buzz into a memorable theatrical run for fans and industry alike.