Last Updated:January 11, 2026, 19:02 IST

Ali Mughal talks about playing an army officer in Border 2, the physical discipline required, shooting with real soldiers, and why the war drama marks a defining phase.

Ali Mughal, who will be seen as an army officer in Anurag Singh’s upcoming war drama Border 2, opens up about the intense physical and emotional preparation that went into the role, calling it a defining moment in his acting journey.

Actor Ali Mughal, known for his powerful performances in projects like Tabbar, Tejas, Sukhee, Inside Edge, Taaza Khabar and Tanaav, is set to take on a striking new challenge with Border 2. The much-anticipated war drama features an ensemble cast led by Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh and Ahan Shetty, with Sonam Bajwa and Mona Singh also playing pivotal roles.

Directed by Anurag Singh, Border 2 is slated for a theatrical release on January 23, 2026, and is already generating strong buzz for its scale, subject matter and cast.

‘Physicality, Discipline and Alertness Are Non-Negotiable’

Opening up about his preparation for the role, Ali Mughal stressed that portraying an army officer comes with a distinct sense of responsibility. “My role in this big film is alongside Varun, and since it’s a war movie where I’m playing an army officer, the physicality becomes very important,” he said.

Elaborating on the nuances of the part, the actor added, “Body language, tone of speech, uniformity, discipline and constantly being alert as a personnel is a responsibility you have to carry and deliver honestly. Emotions naturally follow the behaviour you maintain on screen.”

According to Ali, embodying the external discipline of a soldier helped him access the emotional truth of the character more organically, rather than forcing dramatic moments.

‘A Character You Won’t Be Able to Ignore’

Talking about the nature of his role, Ali expressed gratitude to the film’s creative team for trusting him with such a part. “I am extremely grateful to Anurag Singh sir and Mukesh Chhabra sir for this beautiful opportunity,” he said.

Hinting at the complexity of his character, Ali added, “I feel audiences will react to it in a very different way. It’s a character you may not necessarily like or hate, but you won’t be able to ignore it at all. It’s impactful.”

While he refrained from revealing plot details, his comments suggest that his role carries moral and emotional shades that will leave a lasting impression.

Stepping Away From Familiar Territory

Ali Mughal also reflected on how Border 2 marks a departure from much of his earlier work. “Living the life of a soldier is very different from anything I’ve done before. Honestly, it’s the opposite of most of the characters I’ve played so far,” he said with a laugh.

Known for portraying darker or antagonistic roles, Ali spoke about his love for transformation. “I’ve mostly portrayed negative or villainous roles, but I enjoy constantly challenging myself—whether it’s playing a 65–70-year-old man, a villain, a 50-year-old Afghan character, a Sardarji, an ATS officer, and more. I believe Border 2 will add a very special layer to my acting journey.”

Learning on Real Army Cantonments

For Ali, the experience of shooting Border 2 went beyond performance. He described the film as a significant learning curve, both professionally and personally. “I strongly believe that acting is a continuous learning process. Sometimes you have to unlearn in order to learn again,” he said.

He further explained, “Acting is essentially a bank of emotions built through experience, which you draw from on set. Shooting Border 2 on real army cantonments, sometimes alongside real soldiers, and being part of such a big production with a reputed director and a star like Varun Dhawan has taught me a great deal.”

With its large canvas, real-world settings and emotionally demanding roles, Border 2 appears to be a milestone project for Ali Mughal as he continues to expand his range as an actor.