January’s final weekend promises cinematic fireworks with Sunny Deol’s ‘Border 2’ defending its box office throne against Rani Mukerji’s ‘Mardaani 3’ and Taapsee Pannu’s ‘Assi’, both unleashing on January 30. The war sequel’s explosive debut has set sky-high standards, but these thrillers aim to fragment the audience.
Anurag Singh’s ‘Border 2’ features Sunny Deol leading Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty through intense combat scenes and emotional patriotism. Hitting 213 crore in six days, it toppled Ranveer Singh’s ‘Dhundhar’ first-week record and bested several 2025 films’ full runs. The film’s raw energy and star power have ignited nationwide frenzy.
Rani Mukerji’s ‘Mardaani 3’, directed by Abhiraj Minawala, revives Shivani Shivaji Roy’s legacy with high-stakes chases and moral dilemmas. Bookings began January 28, riding waves of franchise nostalgia. Mallika Prasad and Janki Bodiwala bolster the cast, while the trailer’s gritty realism has celebs raving about Rani’s comeback.
Anubhav Sinha’s ‘Assi’ stars Taapsee Pannu as a lawyer in a web of spies and secrets, visualized in a heart-racing railway chase poster. Joined by Konkona Sen Sharma, Revathi, Naseeruddin Shah, Jishan Ayub, and Manoj Pahwa, and penned by Gaurav Solanki, it moved up from February 20 to seize the spotlight.
From ‘Border 2’s bombastic heroism to ‘Mardaani 3’s fierce justice and ‘Assi’s enigmatic twists, this clash spans genres. Expect packed houses and heated debates as these films vie for supremacy, potentially rewriting box office history.