The box office is set for an epic showdown as ‘Border 2’ continues its triumphant run against two formidable newcomers: Rani Mukerji’s ‘Mardaani 3’ and Taapsee Pannu’s ‘Assi’, both releasing January 30. Sunny Deol’s sequel has redefined success benchmarks in its first week, but these leading ladies are poised to shake things up.
Directed by Anurag Singh, ‘Border 2’ unites icons like Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty in a tale of battlefield glory. Its explosive action, heartfelt dialogues, and stellar acting propelled it to 213 crore by day six, eclipsing Ranveer Singh’s ‘Dhundhar’ weekly haul and outpacing multiple 2025 releases’ totals. Critics and fans hail it as a patriotic resurgence, drawing crowds across multiplexes and single screens.
Rani Mukerji returns as the indomitable Shivani in ‘Mardaani 3’, under Abhiraj Minawala’s direction. Building on the franchise’s legacy of hits, it delivers pulse-pounding action-thriller vibes. Advance sales kicked off January 28, fueled by a trailer that highlights Rani’s razor-sharp persona. Supporting cast Mallika Prasad and Janki Bodiwala add depth to this story of courage against crime syndicates.
Taapsee Pannu takes center stage in Anubhav Sinha’s ‘Assi’, a riveting spy saga where she embodies a lawyer navigating espionage. The motion poster’s dramatic pursuit hints at layers of mystery, backed by a powerhouse lineup: Konkona Sen Sharma, Revathi, Naseeruddin Shah, Jishan Ayub, and Manoj Pahwa. Gaurav Solanki’s script promises intellectual intrigue, shifted from February 20 to join the fray.
Audiences face a thrilling trilemma: epic war drama in ‘Border 2’, empowered policing in ‘Mardaani 3’, and shadowy espionage in ‘Assi’. Each film carves its niche—mass appeal, women-led action, and thought-provoking suspense—setting the stage for record-breaking weekend collections. Which contender will emerge victorious?