Sunny Deol’s much-awaited film Border 2 has hit a roadblock even before its production could start. The sequel to the iconic 1997 war film Border was announced, and fans have been eagerly waiting for its release. However, the film now faces legal issues that might delay or even jeopardize its making.
Legal Notice Issued Against JP Dutta
Border 2 is being co-produced by JP Dutta, the same director who helmed the original Border in 1997. However, Bharat Shah, the producer of the original film, has issued a legal notice against Dutta, claiming the full rights to the first Border. This notice, published in the September 7-14, 2024 edition of Complete Cinema magazine, states that without Bharat Shah’s permission, JP Dutta cannot move forward with the sequel under the same name or brand.
The notice, issued by Advocate Ajay Khatlawala of Little & Company on behalf of Bharat Shah, mentions an agreement signed on November 21, 1994. As per this agreement, the profits from the film Border were to be equally shared between the two. Bharat Shah alleges that despite the massive success of the film, he has not received any part of the profits. Furthermore, he claims that JP Dutta has not disclosed any financial details regarding the film’s earnings.
Court Case Filed by Bharat Shah
The notice also mentions that Bharat Shah had filed a case in 2012, which has been transferred from the Bombay High Court to the Civil Court. In 2014, he also approached the Indian Film and TV Producers Council, accusing JP Dutta of not honoring the terms of their agreement. Shah has further warned other parties interested in working on Border 2 that any deals made with JP Dutta would be at their own risk, as the case is already in court.
Border 2 Cast and Crew
Despite these legal troubles, Border 2 has already generated a lot of excitement. Anurag Singh is set to direct the film, with JP Dutta serving as co-producer. Sunny Deol, who played the role of Major Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri in the original film, will reprise his role in the sequel. Other big names like Varun Dhawan and Diljit Dosanjh are also reportedly part of the cast.
The original Border film was a massive success, loved for its gripping portrayal of the Battle of Longewala during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Released in 1997, the film featured a star-studded cast, including Sunny Deol, Akshaye Khanna, Sunil Shetty, and Jackie Shroff. The movie told the story of 120 Indian soldiers who defended the Longewala post in Rajasthan against an advancing Pakistani tank regiment.
What Lies Ahead for Border 2?
With Bharat Shah claiming the rights to the original film, the future of Border 2 now hangs in the balance. If Shah’s claims hold up in court, JP Dutta may face difficulties in moving forward with the project under the same title. This has raised concerns among fans and film industry insiders alike.
