Sunny Deol was overcome with emotion while speaking about the profound influence of his late father, legendary actor Dharmendra, on his career, particularly in the making of the iconic war film Border. The poignant moment occurred during the launch of the song "Ghar Kab Aaoge" for his upcoming sequel, Border 2.
A Tribute at Longewala
The event, held on January 3, 2026, took place at the historic Longewala in Jaisalmer, in the presence of Border Security Force (BSF) personnel. Addressing the jawans, Sunny Deol opened up about his personal and professional journey, tracing it back to his father's legacy. He shared that watching Dharmendra's 1964 war drama Haqeeqat as a young boy left a deep and lasting impression on him.
"When I became an actor, I decided that I too would do a film like my father's," Sunny stated. He recounted how this childhood inspiration led him to collaborate with director JP Dutta. Together, they decided to make a film on the Longewala battle, which eventually became the 1997 blockbuster Border, a film that he noted now "lives in everyone's hearts."
An Emotional Pause
As memories flooded back, the actor found it difficult to continue. Visibly shaken, he looked down and told the audience, "Aur ab main zyada kuch keh nahi paunga kyunki thoda mera dimaag hila hua hai" (And now I won't be able to say much more because my mind is a bit shaken). This raw display of emotion highlighted the recent loss his family has endured, following Dharmendra's passing in November after a period of hospitalization.
Sunny also expressed his gratitude to the armed forces, stating that since the release of Border, they have made him feel like a part of their family. He acknowledged the film's significant cultural impact, noting that it inspired countless young Indians to join the military.
Honouring a Lasting Legacy
The Deol family has been navigating their grief while also supporting their father's final project. Just days before the Border 2 event, Sunny was present at the premiere of Dharmendra's last film, Ikkis, a war drama based on the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Videos from the premiere showed a moved Sunny posing in front of his father's poster and interacting with guest Salman Khan.
Earlier, Sunny had shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram for Ikkis, writing, "Our Papa, the man of the soil, Ikkis is his salute, his gift to the earth he loved and to the fans who always stood by him." He described the film as a treasure filled with Dharmendra's spirit, courage, and heart, hoping it would live on forever.
The launch event for Border 2 thus became more than a promotional activity; it transformed into a touching homage from a son to his father, connecting the patriotic legacy of one generation of actors to the next.
