Source koimoi
Mumbai – As the countdown begins for the January 23rd release of Border 2, the box office air is thick with anticipation. The sequel to the 1997 cult classic is not just a film; it is a patriotic event aiming to shatter records. However, the million-dollar question remains: Can Sunny Deol’s war epic outpace the massive opening of Chiranjeevi’s Sankranti blockbuster, Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, to secure the second-biggest opening of 2026?
The Battle for the Number Two Spot
The 2026 box office race is currently led by Prabhas’s The Raja Saab, which reportedly grossed a staggering ₹100 crore worldwide on its opening day. Following closely is the Telugu veteran Chiranjeevi’s Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, which dominated the Sankranti season with an opening day collection of approximately ₹41.6 crore in India.
For Border 2 to claim the silver medal for the year’s best start, it must overcome a high bar. Current industry forecasts and early advance booking trends suggest it’s going to be a photo finish.
Current Forecasts vs. The Target
Movie Day 1 Opening (India Net) Status
The Raja Saab ~₹45–50 Cr (approx. ₹100 Cr Global) Current #1
Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu ₹41.6 Cr Current #2
Border 2 ₹40 Cr – ₹45 Cr (Projected) Contender
Trade analysts at Pinkvilla initially predicted a ₹40 crore start for Border 2, but due to an explosive response to the trailer and strong advance sales, an upward revision is expected. If the “Sunny Deol Wave”—reminiscent of the Gadar 2 phenomenon—takes over the Hindi heartland, the film could easily cross the ₹42 crore mark, effectively bumping Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu to the third spot.
Why the Momentum is High
The Power of Nostalgia: Sunny Deol returns as Lt. Col. Fateh Singh Kaler, the only original cast member, bringing a legacy that spans three generations.
Ensemble Appeal: The inclusion of Varun Dhawan (as Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya) and Diljit Dosanjh (as Fg Offr Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon) ensures the film appeals to both the youth and the Punjabi diaspora.
Advance Booking Surge: Within hours of opening, the film sold over 10,000 tickets in national chains (PVR-Inox, Cinepolis). Experts suggest the “mass” circuits and single screens—where Sunny Deol is king—will see even higher footfalls.
Republic Day Weekend: Releasing on January 23, the film will benefit from a massive four-day extended weekend, fueled by patriotic sentiment.
The Verdict
While Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu had the advantage of the Sankranti holidays in the South, Border 2 has the “Pan-India” appeal of a nationalistic war drama. If the early screenings generate positive word-of-mouth, Border 2 isn’t just looking to beat Chiranjeevi’s opening; it might just challenge The Raja Saab for the domestic throne.
One thing is certain: January 23rd will be a “Hindustan Zindabad” moment for the Indian box office.
