The much-awaited war drama Border 2 has finally stormed theatres today, bringing together an explosive ensemble cast including Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, Varun Dhawan, and Ahan Shetty. As audiences flock to witness the high-octane spectacle, emotions are running high within the film’s extended family — especially for Suniel Shetty, who was part of the iconic original Border and now watches his son Ahan step into the franchise’s legacy.
Marking the release, Suniel Shetty penned a heartfelt message for Ahan, expressing pride and gratitude as his son takes forward a cinematic chapter that once defined his own career. But beyond the celebrations, Suniel also addressed a topic that continues to spark debate in Bollywood — nepotism.
In a candid conversation on Peeping Moon’s Benchmark Conversations podcast, Suniel Shetty revealed that he strongly dislikes the term. According to him, labeling star kids under one bracket oversimplifies reality. He shared that every parent naturally wishes for their child to succeed, and that cannot be reduced to a negative tag.
“People may call my son a nepo kid, but every father wants his child to grow and do well,” Suniel explained. He added that privilege may open doors, but it is ultimately up to individuals to prove themselves once inside. Drawing from his own life, he shared that he got opportunities in the restaurant business because his father ran one too — calling it a natural continuation of generations, not favoritism.
Speaking further about Border 2, Suniel revealed how the film gave Ahan the right environment to flourish. He praised Sunny Deol, describing him as a mentor who guided and protected Ahan on set like a father figure. He also highlighted the warm bond between Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan, noting that their friendship grew strong during filming.
Perhaps most touching was Suniel’s revelation about Varun Dhawan. He shared that Varun often speaks more enthusiastically about Ahan’s role than his own, a gesture that, according to Suniel, challenges the stereotype that star kids are self-centered or spoiled. “Today, it’s Varun who is praising Ahan everywhere,” he said, emphasizing that kindness and support exist beyond industry labels.
Meanwhile, Ahan Shetty also took to social media to express gratitude to the cast and crew. He called Sunny Deol his guiding force and thanked Varun Dhawan for treating him like a younger brother.
Presented by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series in association with J.P. Dutta’s J.P. Films, Border 2 is directed by Anurag Singh and produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, J.P. Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta. With powerful performances and emotional undertones both on and off screen, the film arrives not just as a sequel — but as a generational moment in Bollywood history.