18-05-2025
Suniel Shetty Reveals Why He Initially Rejected Border: 'If JP Dutta Abused Me...'
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Suniel Shetty reveals he initially rejected the role of Bhairav Singh in Border due to fears of a clash with director JP Dutta.
Suniel Shetty, known for his intense screen presence in films like Mohra, Dhadkan, and Balwaan, nearly missed out on one of the most defining roles of his career in J.P. Dutta's Border. In a candid conversation with Radio Nasha, the actor revealed he had initially turned down the role of Bhairav Singh due to the director's reportedly fiery temper.
'I'd heard that JP Dutta was a tough taskmaster, someone who didn't shy away from using abusive language when angry. And I had a short fuse myself," Shetty recalled. 'When JP ji came to meet me, I told him I'd think about it. But later, I told my secretary, 'I can't do this. If he abuses me, I might raise my hand.'"
Despite his apprehension, the role eventually found its way back to him—through his mother-in-law. 'JP ji was so determined to cast me that he approached Bharat Shah, who knew my mother-in-law. She sat me down and convinced me to reconsider. I laid down my conditions and told her, if anything goes wrong, I'll walk out."
But fate had other plans. 'From the very first day, JP ji and I clicked. We got along like fire," Suniel said, adding that even during difficult phases in his career, the director stood by him and offered him work without hesitation.
Released in 1997, Border—a film based on the Battle of Longewala during the Indo-Pak War of 1971—became a monumental success and an emotional landmark in Indian war cinema. Starring Sunny Deol, Jackie Shroff, Akshaye Khanna, and Tabu among others, it continues to be remembered for its patriotic fervor and powerful performances.
Now, as Border 2 gears up for a 2026 release with a fresh cast featuring Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Ahan Shetty, and possibly minus Diljit Dosanjh, who has reportedly exited the project, fans are eager to see how the legacy continues. Directed by Anurag Singh and backed by Bhushan Kumar and the Dutta family, the sequel promises to carry forward the emotional and cinematic weight of its predecessor.
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