Deol and Dhawan: Real vs. Reel War Heroes

Border has long been a favourite among the masses. When it was released in 1997, the times were rife with nationalistic sentiment. India had seen major wars with its neighbouring nation, Pakistan, and the film managed to strike the right chord. Such was its impact that it became a blockbuster, a go-to film to rouse patriotic feelings across the country and one whose sequel audiences have been waiting for ever since. Those wishes were finally fulfilled when 

Border 2 was announced.

The reel vs real of Border 2

​Sunny Deol as Lt Col Fateh Singh Kaler

A WW2 Paratrooper (Burma campaign), hero of Haji Pir (1965), and one of the liberators of Dacca in 1971. As Commander of 95 Mountain Brigade, he led his men from Tura → Kamalpur → Bakshiganj → Jamalpur → Tangail → Dacca, promising to reach Dacca in 12 days — and he did.

Within 10 days of combat, he secured the surrender of the first senior Pakistani POW, Brigadier Qadir (12 Dec 1971), and was among the first Indian officers to enter Gen Niazi’s office after surrender. The details were revealed by the actor's fan on X:

Sunny Deol plays Major General Hardev Singh Kler (named Fateh Singh Kaler in the film) – a real-life legend of the Indian Army 🇮🇳

A WW2 Paratrooper (Burma campaign), hero of Haji Pir (1965), and one of the liberators of Dacca in 1971.
As Commander of 95 Mountain Brigade, he led… pic.twitter.com/qaqybP3VEw

— Kashinath 2.0 (@TheDeolsFC) December 17, 2025

Varun Dhawan as Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya

Varun Dhawan's character seems to have been inspired by Colonel Hoshiar Singh Dahiya, the Param Vir Chakra awardee who was one of India's bravest soldiers. But who was Colonel Hoshiar Singh? Read on to know about his life and his exemplary bravery during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war.

Hoshiar Singh was born on 5 May 1937 in the village of Sisana, located on the Rohtak–Sonipat road in Haryana. His father, Chaudhary Hira Singh, was a respected farmer, and his mother, Mathuri Devi, was a homemaker known for her warmth and simplicity.

​Diljit Dosanjh as Fg Offr Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon

Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, PVC was an officer of the Indian Air Force. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honour, in recognition of his lone defence of Srinagar Air Base against a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) air raid during the India–Pakistan war of 1971. He is the only member of the Indian Air Force to be honoured with the PVC.

​Ahan Shetty as Lt Cdr M. S. Rawat

Ahan Shetty plays Lieutenant Commander M. S. Rawat from INS Khukri, highlighting the Indian Navy’s vital role in the war.