As ‘Border 2’ builds anticipation, Ahan Shetty talks about inhabiting a soldier’s mind; says, 'Authenticity cannot be manufactured'

The teaser of ‘Border 2’ has taken social media by storm, earning praise for its gritty tone, emotional weight and grounded portrayal of warfare. Rooted in realism and patriotism, the preview signals a film that aims to honour the courage and sacrifices of Indian soldiers, setting high expectations ahead of its theatrical release.Reflecting on working with director Anurag Singh, Ahan Shetty revealed that realism was at the heart of ‘Border 2’ from day one. “Anurag Singh understands that authenticity cannot be manufactured, it has to be earned, and he made it clear ‘Border 2’ would be forged with military precision, not typical action conventions,” the actor shared with Bollywood Hungama, adding that the approach demanded much more than stylised action.Ahan shared that the biggest challenge lay in internalising the psychology of a soldier rather than performing surface-level behaviour. “He constantly pushed me to inhabit a mindset rather than just execute sequences,” he explained. “I had to understand what my character was carrying into every moment, the weight of his training, the responsibility to his team, and the knowledge that every decision has life-or-death consequences.”The actor credited Anurag Singh for reshaping his understanding of screen presence through subtlety. “He showed me that the stillness, the restraint, the command in a soldier’s eyes speaks louder than any action ever could. That shift in perspective transformed how I approached the role entirely,” Ahan said, noting how this insight became central to his performance.Beyond the technical demands, Ahan spoke about the emotional responsibility that came with being part of ‘Border 2’. “We weren’t just making an action film, we were creating a tribute to service, where every frame honored the real heroes who wear the uniform,” he said, calling this sensibility “the greatest gift” Anurag Singh brought to the project. In the film, Ahan plays Navy officer Lt. Cdr Joseph Pius Alfred Noronha, with Anya Singh cast as his wife.Presented by Gulshan Kumar, T-Series and J.P. Dutta’s J.P. Films, ‘Border 2’ is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, J.P. Dutta and Nidhi Dutta. Directed by Anurag Singh, the war drama continues the legacy of stories centred on bravery, sacrifice and national pride. The film is scheduled to release in cinemas on January 23, 2026.