25 February,2026 08:03 PM IST | Mumbai | Shruti Sampat
Ali Hassan
In an exclusive chat, actor Ali Hassan, who plays the prime antagonist in Border 2, opened up about sharing screen space with Sunny Deol and why the experience meant so much to him.
Calling the film "all about Sunny Deol," Ali said, "Of course it was an ensemble cast and I won't deny they were amazing too. But if it wasn't for Sunny Deol, Border wouldn't have been a franchise." He added, "I was very fortunate that I got to be a part of this amazing project, Border 2."
While he did not share scenes with Varun Dhawan or Ahaan Shetty, Ali cherished the opportunity to work closely with Deol. "I got to work with Sunny Sir. What an amazing person he is. The energy he carries at the age he is⦠I used to keep looking at him. I used to forget what I had to do in the scene and just admire him while we performed together," he admitted.
Having grown up watching the veteran star, Ali described the moment as surreal. "I've grown up watching him and his films. To just be in the same frame as him wasn't easy. And then again, to be cast opposite him as an antagonist, which makes me the main antagonist of Border 2, was like a dream come true. I don't think many people can say that, although I've done two movies before."
The role, he shared, was physically demanding. "The role was very hectic. But it was great. Let me tell you, all the action that you see in the film, everything, I did not use a stunt double. It was done all by me. And the experience has been beyond words for me."
Ali also spoke about his initial doubts. "I'm open about the fact that I have only been in television. I've not even approached much on the movie side. So when they thought of me, I was thrilled and excited. But frankly speaking, I was very sceptical." He recalled being told, "Ali, you're the central antagonist." Laughing, he said, "I said, okay, I'll take your word for it."
When Border 2 released, the response overwhelmed him. "The kind of reaction I got from people, the kind of love messages I got⦠I was like, âWhoa. This is something else. This is unreal.' I was shivering for two days."
Reflecting on destiny, he shared a throwback memory. "Twelve years back, Sunny paaji had come on CID for promotion, and guess who was the villain in that particular episode? It was me." Smiling at the full circle moment, he said, "It was not the first time that I met him. I worked with him then also. And ten years later I am working with him in the biggest war franchise ever."
Recalling Deol's reaction, Ali revealed, "When I showed it to him, he was like, âHow many years have passed? Twelve years have passed. When are you coming back?' He was a gem of a person back then and now too."
