Varun Dhawan nails 50 knuckle push-ups with army jawans on Border 2 set

Actor Varun Dhawan, who is currently shooting for Border 2, shared a heartwarming and inspiring moment from the film's set at the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune. In a video posted on Instagram, Varun is seen participating in a 50 knuckle push-ups challenge with young Indian Army cadets. The actor not only matched the cadets in stamina but also celebrated their spirit with cheers and hugs after completing the challenge. The video received widespread praise for showcasing camaraderie between Bollywood and the armed forces.

Push-ups and positivity

The light-hearted moment came during the third shooting schedule of Border 2, the much-anticipated sequel to the 1997 blockbuster Border. In the video, Varun is surrounded by cadets as they all drop to the ground for the knuckle push-up challenge. A count is kept amid loud cheers and motivation from the group. Varun completed all 50 push-ups with determination and later interacted warmly with the cadets, sharing high-fives and smiles. His Instagram caption read, “BORDER2 Hamare saare young cadets ke saath knuckle challenge. #bts.”
Border 2 is being directed by Anurag Singh, who previously helmed Kesari, and is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, J.P. Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta. The movie features a strong star cast including Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, Ahan Shetty, and Varun Dhawan. The current schedule in Pune marks the third phase of production. The team recently shared a group photo on social media, announcing the shoot’s progress.

The original Border was set against the backdrop of the 1971 India-Pakistan war and remains one of India’s most celebrated war films. The sequel is expected to carry forward the emotional and patriotic tone, with modern storytelling and a fresh cast.
Apart from Border 2, Varun Dhawan will be seen in Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, directed by Shashank Khaitan and produced by Karan Johar. The film stars Janhvi Kapoor, Rohit Saraf, Sanya Malhotra, and Maneish Paul. Earlier, Varun was seen in Baby John, released in December 2024. It was an action thriller and a remake of the Tamil film Theri.

Varun has been actively connecting with fans through behind-the-scenes glimpses of his ongoing shoots. His recent metro ride with Ahan Shetty in Pune, shared as a funny story of getting lost, also made waves online.

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Fan reactions

Fans have appreciated Varun’s efforts to bond with army cadets and portray a positive and patriotic image on screen and off screen. His fitness level and willingness to take up a challenge with cadets were seen as a symbol of respect and admiration for the forces.
Border 2 is set to hit theatres on January 23 next year. It promises to be a grand tribute to the Indian Army, just like its predecessor, with added emotional and cinematic depth.