Review: ‘Border 2’ is ‘Border’ too, the whole package better packaged

Border 2 is Border, too – a retread rather than a sequel to JP Dutta’s 1997 blockbuster that serves up the original film’s winning ingredients with extra garnishing.

The valour displayed by Indian armed forces during the India-Pakistan War of 1971, the chest-thumping speeches and misty-eyed salutes, the battlefield action that descends into the trenches, the sacrifices during the last stand against the enemy, the families and wives waiting back home, sentimental songs – Anurag Singh’s Border 2 doesn’t tinker with a template that has worked. Singh delivers the whole package, but better packaged.

Border 2 doesn’t have any surprises in terms of its story, but it takes the effort to roll out slick action scenes and improved production values. The jingoism is heavily amped up too, the film all but declaring its intent with the line “Stay within your limits, otherwise there will be neither a border nor a village nor you.” (The screenplay is by Singh and Sumit Arora).

The previous film explored the decisive Battle of Longewala in 1971. The new movie, co-produced by Dutta and based on a story by his daughter Nidhi, includes other theatres of the war, notably in Kashmir. This is where Sunny Deol, the only actor repeated from Border, physically – and literally – protects the line that divides the subcontinent’s most fractious neighbours.

Deol plays Fateh Singh Kaler, one of several actual war heroes depicted in Border 2. Fateh acts as a paternal figure to three younger officers who form a thick friendship during their training.

Hoshiar (Varun Dhawan), Nirmal (Diljit Dosanjh) and Mahendra (Ahan Shetty) each represent the Army, Air Force and Navy. All these divisions will be pressed into service when Pakistan’s general Yahya Khan, bristling at India’s support of guerrillas in East Pakistan, goes to war.

Fidelity to the previous film’s beats means waiting patiently for the full impact of Pakistan’s multi-pronged assault and the Indian response. Each of the principal characters get a few scenes to humanise them.

Fateh has a wife (Mona Singh) who’s worried about their only son, who is also in the Army. Hoshiar and Nirmal acquire new brides (played by Medha Rana and Sonam Bajwa, respectively). Mahendra has a wife (Anya Singh) and a daughter who makes him a cute drawing that awakens his drowning spirits.

Other secondary players are similarly given moments to ensure that their inevitable erasure won’t be forgotten. Like all war movies, Border 2 has characters who are marked for glorious final exits by the things they say and the associations they keep. Those buddies who pretend to hate each other? The man who clutches the Bhagwat Gita inherited from his mother?

Anurag Singh deftly handles the balance of emotion and action, the build-up to the carnage that will result in the loss of countless lives. Remastered hit songs from Border, particularly the earworm Sandese Aate Hai, are retained in the latest movie, along with an instrumental version of the American folk song Oh! Susanna, of all things.

The action scenes are more elaborate, going down to the wire. Indian and Pakistani soldiers often find themselves face to face, warily eye-balling each other. When the skirmishes begin, the hierarchy of weaponry is unleashed, from guns to fists.

Among the younger actors, Diljit Dosanjh is the most memorable, bringing both twinkly-eyed charm and determination to his dashing Air Force officer. Sunny Deol, despite his advanced age, retains his bellicose edge, surviving all manner of attack to emerge as a superhero in an Army uniform.

While the fighting is realistically portrayed, there are opportunities for miracles too – bullets that draw blood but refuse to take lives, bombs that maim but don’t kill. Some of the miracles are attributed to faith. The soldiers regularly invoke their gods, whether in their prayers or during battle.

There isn’t a single Muslim soldier in these armies of courageous men. The only “Inshallah” that is heard comes from the enemy.

Fateh Singh also delivers a speech about India standing firm against external threats since the time of the Mughals. In this respect, Border 2 distinguishes itself, behaving more like a sequel than a companion piece.