Varun Dhawan's new heroine in Border 2, Medha Rana and Anushka Sharma have something in common; here's what we know

Time of India

2 days ago

Following the rise of fresh talents like Nitanshi Goel, Medha Shankr, Pratibha Ranta, and Aneet Padda, another newcomer is ready to make her big-screen debut, Medha Rana. Cast opposite Varun Dhawan in Border 2, the upcoming war drama, she is set to step into the spotlight. While the film is scheduled to release on January 23, 2026, curiosity has already begun to build, who is Medha Rana, why was she chosen, and where have audiences seen her before?
Why Medha was picked for the role
The makers of Border 2 have revealed how they were looking for someone who could naturally fit into the world of the story. Since the film is based on a real-life historical event, it required actors who could speak the regional dialect and carry deep emotions on screen.
Producer Bhushan Kumar shared that Medha stood out during auditions. 'She had a strong grasp on the dialect and impressed us with her emotional depth. We truly believe she will bring realism and depth to the character,' he said. Another producer, Nidhi Dutta, added that Medha's sincerity and natural energy match the film's tone. 'She brings freshness and strength to the role,' she added.
Medha Rana and Anushka Sharma have this in common
Born on December 25, 1999, Medha Rana is originally from Bengaluru but grew up in Gurugram, Delhi. She comes from an army background and studied at Army Public School, Bengaluru, where she completed her senior schooling. Later, Medha pursued a BBA degree in finance and marketing from Christ University, Bengaluru.
An interesting parallel, actor Anushka Sharma also studied at Army School, Bengaluru, and later pursued her graduation in arts from Mount Carmel College. Moreover, cricketer Devdutt Padikkal was a student in the same school before making it big in the IPL and representing India. Clearly, the school has been a stepping stone for many shining stars.
From modeling to acting
Medha's journey into modeling began unexpectedly. At just 13, she was shopping with her parents in a mall in Chandigarh when she met fashion stylist Prasad Bidapa. He encouraged her parents to consider modeling. While they didn't take it seriously at the time, it eventually became a stepping stone in her career.
Work before Border 2
Though still new to films, Medha has done a few projects. She was seen in the Voot web series London Files and later in Netflix's Friday Night Plan. She also starred in the Amazon mini-series Ishq in the Air.
In addition to acting, she has appeared in several ad campaigns and music videos. She was featured in Armaan Malik's song Barsaat and worked with brands like Lenskart and Cadbury.
About Border 2
Directed by Anurag Singh, Border 2 is set to release on January 23, 2026. The film is inspired by the Battle of Saragarhi, where 21 Sikh soldiers fought against thousands of Afghan tribesmen in 1897. Although the title may suggest otherwise, the film is not a direct sequel to the 1997 film Border. It features an all-new story, new characters, and a different war setting.
Along with Varun Dhawan and Medha Rana, the cast also includes Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty. Fans now wait to see who will be cast opposite the other two leads.Backed by T-Series and JP Films, Border 2 promises to be an emotional and powerful tribute to India's soldiers.