Less than a week in theatres and Border 2 is already a massive hit, bringing with it both joy and relief for Ahan Shetty. Playing the role of braveheart Lt. Cdr. M.S. Rawat in the Anurag Singh-directed film that brings back Sunny Deol from Border (1997) and introduces Varun Dhawan and Diljit Dosanjh in the mix, Ahan’s acting and screen presence has come in for praise. We spoke to actor Suniel Shetty’s son about the film and beyond.

Congratulations! Even as we speak, Border 2 is piling on the crores at the box office...

It is a surreal feeling. I am a little overwhelmed and quite emotional. I am also very happy. Overall, there is a lot of joy and I am looking forward for the momentum to carry. I don’t think it has fully hit me how well the film is doing.

A lot of feedback has been coming in. People are primarily saying that I played my role with a lot of honesty, and that is a heartening feeling for me. That is exactly how I wanted to portray my character. Also, a lot of people are saying: “We wish there was more of Ahan in the film.”

Ahan with dad Suniel Shetty on the sets of Border 2

That must be a high...

It is very encouraging! Being a part of a film which has Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan and Diljit Dosanjh is an honour in itself. One (Sunny) is an absolute legend, Varun is a superstar in his own right and Diljit is a global icon. So for people to say that they liked me — an actor who is just doing his second film — is very special. It means a lot to me because there has been such a long gap between my first film (Tadap, 2021) and Border 2.

I was very nervous before release. I will be very honest and admit that I was super low on confidence. But the kind of love that has been pouring in since the film released has made me feel a little wanted, in a way (smiles). It is a very good feeling. It encourages me to work harder, to do more.

Landing a central role in Border 2 must have been exhilarating, but did it also come with pressure?

When Nidhi didi (co-producer Nidhi Dutta) told me about this film and that she wanted me in it, I was, to be frank, quite taken aback.... I thought she was messing with me (smiles). I was like: “Are they serious? Do they really want me in such a big film?!” After what I have been through over the last four years, post the release of my debut film, I wasn’t sure if any producer would want to cast me in such a huge franchise.

There is a certain responsibility carrying this franchise forward and carrying forward my father’s (Suniel Shetty) legacy in it. But I tried my best to not let that pressure and those expectations get to me. I feel that if I allowed that to happen, I would end up behaving in a different way... I wouldn’t perform with true honesty, I would perform in the way people expected me to perform. I didn’t do that and I think that worked for me.

What was the most memorable part of this shoot for you?

If I had to pick a particular day, it would be that of the ‘Maa Shakti’ scene. That was a very special scene for me because my father had also done it (in Border). There was a lot of pressure and expectations from that scene.

Overall, being a part of such a massive film and being able to work alongside such fantastic actors, and more importantly, such fantastic people, was a profound experience for me. There were so many learning opportunities from Sunny sir, Varun and Diljit. They were all incredibly supportive, all so loving and caring. I have come away with a father figure in Sunny sir and two older brothers in Varun and Diljit. I am very grateful for that.

What were your biggest learnings from working with them?

They know how to balance their life and their career — when you are on set, you give your 200 per cent, but off set, you relax and have fun... you don’t need to take everything so seriously, which I feel I was doing before, I wasn’t allowing myself to let go and enjoy life. That is something I learnt from all three of them. Also, I learnt the importance of being true to my character, to myself and to the audience.

What has your father’s reaction to the film been? He must be very proud...

He hasn’t seen the film yet! He has been too nervous. We had a screening last Friday and while my family did come for it, Athiya (sister) and my dad were too nervous to watch it, they were very, very emotional... only K.L. (Rahul, cricketer and brother-in-law) and my mom (Mana) did. Athiya watched it on Sunday and she loved it, but my dad still hasn’t. He is waiting for the film to achieve a certain number at the box office and then he will watch it. But he has been getting a lot of calls and messages praising me as well as the film.

What are your earliest memories of watching Border and of your dad in it?

Border came out in 1997 when I was just two. My first memory of watching and properly understanding the film was when I was four or five years old. That film made me fall in love with the armed forces and want to join them. That was a dream for many years before I started drama class in school. My father played a BSF officer in Border, and that remains firmly etched in my mind.

Before release, there was a trend on social media which said that if you replied to someone’s post, they would go and watch the film. That went viral. What is the story behind that?

It was very overwhelming. It started with a girl putting up a reel saying that she would buy a ticket for Border 2 if I replied to her post. It found its way to me and I said: “Oh, that is very sweet... let me reply to her.” After that, so many people started doing the same and it just blew up. It helped both me and the film in terms of visibility.

Despite being low on confidence, what kept you going during the time you had to wait for your second film, five years after your first?

It has always been my dream to be an actor. That kept me going. After my first film, I was stuck in a contract situation which lasted four years. At that time, I just had to keep my head down and work on myself, physically, emotionally, mentally. Things were definitely very, very tough. I went through some stuff in my personal life as well. But I think that when you are so determined and passionate about something, time doesn’t really mean much.

Then, to be able to get a film like Border 2 as my second film did give me a little bit of a boost. I saw that there are still certain producers and directors who want to work with me. I also had an incredible support system in my family and friends. I don’t want to say it was a struggle. It was something that was meant to teach me certain lessons, meant to help me grow and become who I am today. I am very grateful for that and I am looking forward to everything that is coming my way in the future.

You have signed on a few projects. What can you tell us about them?

I am doing a film directed by Shaad Ali, which is a romantic-action film. I will be starting that in the next few months. There is an action film being directed by Birsa Dasgupta. There is also a horror love story with Khyati Madaan. I don’t know in which order I will shoot them, but all three will start this year. I may have a release by the end of this year, but if not, then in 2027. I have a nice mix of genres. I didn’t want to be stuck to one genre. I want to challenge myself.

Is there an actor of this generation who inspires you?

All of them inspire me in some way or the other. I have always loved Ranbir Kapoor... not only for his films and the journey he has had so far, but also for the way he conducts himself. I think he is one of the best performers we have. I really look up to him and his career.

I also like Ranveer (Singh) who is doing unbelievably well. Varun is an inspiration They are all very good actors and very good people, more importantly.