Suniel Shetty almost declined a role in JP Dutta's war movie Border due to the director's strict nature. Shetty, known for his roles in films like Dhadkan, Mohra, and Balwaan, was concerned about JP Dutta's temper. He had heard that Dutta was a very strict director and was known to scold people if he got upset. Shetty, who admits to being hot-tempered himself, feared he would react badly if provoked.

Despite Shetty's initial refusal, JP Dutta was determined to cast him as Bhairav Singh. Dutta reached out to Bharat Shah, who had a connection to Shetty’s family through his mother-in-law. She eventually convinced Shetty to take the role, but only after he set certain conditions. Once Shetty joined the project, his professional relationship with Dutta evolved into a close friendship. Shetty emphasized Dutta's loyalty and support during tough phases of his career, appreciating that Dutta cast him repeatedly without hesitation, even when his career wasn’t at its peak.

Border, released in 1997, was written, produced, and directed by JP Dutta. The film, set during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, focused on the Battle of Longewala. The movie starred Sunny Deol, Jackie Shroff, Akshaye Khanna, Sudesh Berry, and Puneet Issar, with supporting actors including Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Tabu, Raakhee, Pooja Bhatt, and Sharbani Mukherjee. It was a significant box office success and remains one of Indian cinema’s iconic war dramas. JP Dutta considered Border his dream project, and it received wide acclaim for its patriotic themes and ensemble cast.

Following the legacy of the original film, Border 2 is currently in development. The sequel will be directed by Anurag Singh and backed by Bhushan Kumar, JP Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta. The new cast includes Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, and Ahan Shetty. While Diljit Dosanjh was initially part of the cast, reports indicate he has exited the project. Border 2 is slated for theatrical release on January 23, 2026.