Border 2 vs Pathaan: How Word of Mouth Helped Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan Film Draw Level with SRK Blockbuster
Sunny Deol and Varun Dhawan’s Border 2 has crossed the ₹100 crore global box office mark in its first week, with strong word-of-mouth helping it draw level with Shah Rukh Khan’s blockbuster Pathaan in several regions.
Key Takeaways
- Border 2 has crossed ₹100 crore worldwide in its first week.
- Positive audience word-of-mouth has propelled its performance, matching Pathaan’s numbers in some markets.
- Trade analysts credit the film’s patriotic theme, emotional core, and Sunny Deol’s comeback.
Steady Growth vs Record Opening
Released in January, Pathaan set a massive opening day record and became one of India’s highest-grossing films ever. Border 2, a sequel to the 1997 classic, had a more modest start but gained significant momentum through its first week.
The film’s positive audience reception has been the key driver, allowing it to catch up to Pathaan’s box office trajectory in specific areas.
What’s Driving Border 2’s Success?
Trade experts point to several factors:
- Patriotic Theme: The film’s strong emotional and nationalistic core resonated widely.
- Sunny Deol’s Return: His comeback after a long break attracted his loyal fanbase.
- Technical Praise: The music and action sequences have received positive reviews.
A Win for Content and Word-of-Mouth
While Pathaan retains the opening day crown, Border 2’s steady climb proves that content-driven films can achieve major commercial success. The film’s performance underscores the enduring power of audience recommendations in the digital era.




