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EYE ON BOLLYWOOD FEBRUARY 13, 2026 | The Indian Eye 36

From ‘Border 2’ Highs

to ‘Ikka’ Face-Off: Sunny Deol’s

Moment in the Spotlight

As Border 2 storms the box office, the actor gears up for a long-awaited reunion with

Akshaye Khanna in a gritty legal drama

announced Ikka, a hard-hitting legal
OUR BUREAU
drama that will see Sunny reunite
Mumbai with Akshaye Khanna after more
than two decades. Their last on-
iding high on the thumping screen collaboration was in Border,
success of Border 2, actor
RSunny Deol has been soaking making the reunion particularly sig-
nificant for fans of the iconic war film.
in the moment, celebrating the film’s Unveiled at the Netflix India
phenomenal box-office run with his
slate event in Mumbai, Ikka also stars
team and sharing the joy with fans Tillotama Shome and Dia Mirza in
across social media. Taking to his In- pivotal roles. The film is directed by
stagram story, Sunny posted a cheer-
ful video from a celebration where Siddharth P. Malhotra and features
Sanjeeda Shaikh, Shishir Sharma and
he and the film’s team could be seen Akansha Ranjan in prominent parts.
singing, cutting a cake and chanting
According to the film’s official
“Happy Border.” In the clip, the actor description, Ikka revolves around “a
danced freely, visibly moved by the celebrated, incorruptible lawyer who
love the film has received. The video is arm-twisted into defending a mur-
captured a lighter, exuberant side of
the star, far removed from the steely der accused — a man whose career he
had notoriously ended.” Forced into a
on-screen persona that has defined moral corner, the lawyer must use ev-
much of his career.
ery trick in the book, ethical or other-
wise, to win the case, as failure would
Director Anurag Singh also cost him everything he holds dear.
The first look of the film offers
paid a warm tribute to Deol, a glimpse of an intense face-off be-
offering a glimpse into the ac- tween Sunny Deol’s lawyer and Ak-
tor’s off-screen personality. In shaye Khanna’s character. The teaser
shows heated courtroom exchanges
a heartfelt post, Singh wrote, Even as Border 2 continues its triumphant run, Sunny Deol is already looking ahead to his next and even a physical confrontation

“The unseen side of the man major project (ANI file photo) during a police station scene, hint-
ing at the emotional and ideological
with a dhai kilo ka haath and clashes that drive the narrative.
In a joint statement, the Ikka
a 5 kilo ka heart. The roar is had also shared a special message ny Deol’s return to uniform, a role team described the film as a “relent-
for his fans, thanking them for em-
that has become synonymous with
legendary. But so is the laugh- bracing Border 2. “Aawaaz kahan tak his screen image since the original less thriller packed with emotional
ter that lights up the set. From gayi… aapke dilo tak. Aapko meri Border (1997). depth,” centred on a father’s des-
The film’s box-office perfor-
Border bahut pasand aayi, thank you
perate attempt to protect his family,
the power you bring on screen very much. Love you all,” he said in mance has been nothing short of even if it means striking a deal with
to the warmth you bring on set the video. What stood out for many spectacular. Within six days of its the devil. They also expressed grati-
tude to Netflix for backing the proj-
viewers was the way Sunny signed off, release, Border 2 crossed the Rs 200
– it’s been a joy every single echoing the trademark style of his crore mark, and its total India col- ect and bringing together a cast they
day, sir.” father, veteran actor Dharmendra — lection currently stands at Rs 257.50 described as “stellar.”
a moment that struck an emotional crore. The film also stars Varun Dha- With Border 2 reaffirming his
chord with longtime fans. wan, Ahan Shetty and Diljit Dosanjh box-office pull and Ikka promising
Sunny reshared the message Released theatrically on January in key roles, adding to its wide appeal a darker, more complex turn, Sunny
on his Instagram handle and re- 23, Border 2 is inspired by the true across generations. Deol appears firmly positioned at a
sponded with characteristic hu- events of the 1971 India-Pakistan Even as Border 2 continues its rare intersection of nostalgia and re-
mour, writing, “Thank you for ex- War and highlights the coordinated triumphant run, Sunny Deol is al- invention — celebrating a glorious
posing me. I love you, Anurag.” efforts of the Indian Army, Navy ready looking ahead to his next ma- past while stepping confidently into
Earlier in the week, the actor and Air Force. The film marks Sun- jor project. On February 3, Netflix challenging new terrain.

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