Varun Dhawan opens up about physical training for Border 2: "Lots of strength training, endurance work"

Varun talked about his experience and revealed that playing a soldier on screen requires a high level of both mental and physical discipline and goes far beyond performance.

Varun Dhawan is all set to take on a powerful new challenge in his upcoming film Border 2, for which the actor underwent rigorous physical preparation. Stepping into a role inspired by real-life war hero Colonel Hoshiar Singh Dahiya, Varun committed himself to intense training that involved strength conditioning, endurance-building exercises, and mobility-focused workouts to meet the demanding requirements of the character.

Varun talked about his experience and revealed that playing a soldier on screen requires a high level of both mental and physical discipline and goes far beyond performance.

He said that the team shooting in real-world settings made the process even more immersive and improved his ability to comprehend and emulate what it's like to be a soldier.

He explained, “Border 2 demanded a different level of physical and mental discipline, especially since we were shooting at real locations like Babina, and such situations really put you in the mindset of a soldier. You’re out there all day, often in tough conditions, so fitness becomes less about looking a certain way and more about stamina and recovery."

In addition to his intense workout regime, Varun paid close attention to his diet during the shoot. He maintained a clean and balanced meal plan focused on high protein intake, healthy carbohydrates, and ample fluids to stay hydrated while filming extensively outdoors.

Elaborating further, he added, “My routine had to be very functional, lots of strength training, endurance work, and mobility because the terrain and weather can not be kind. Diet-wise, I kept it very clean and simple: high protein, good carbs, and lots of hydration to sustain long outdoor shoots."

Also read: Varun Dhawan says he felt nervous and emotional stepping into Border 2 alongside Sunny Deol

Border 2 features an ensemble cast with Varun Dhawan sharing screen space with Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty as part of the film’s core lineup.

The war drama is backed by producers Bhushan Kumar and Nidhi Dutta, with Shiv Chanana and Binoy Gandhi serving as co-producers. Directed by Anurag Singh, Border 2 has already generated significant excitement with its teaser. The film is scheduled for a grand theatrical release on January 23, 2026.