An ambitious big-screen offering in Border 2 signifies a career high for Paramvir Singh Cheema after his successful OTT offerings Tabbar (2021), Chamak (2023), and Black Warrant (2025). Strangely, the actor was at his most cautious when director Anurag Singh’s war drama came his way.

Talking to mid-day, Cheema recalled, “When the casting director told me that Anurag sir wanted to test me for Border 2, I asked him what the character was. He said, ‘Bro, it’s Border 2. Why are you asking about the role?’”

Having been part of performance-led projects, Cheema was aware of the risks that come with ensemble films. He was worried he may be sidelined in a movie that boasted stars like Sunny Deol, Diljit Dosanjh, Varun Dhawan, and Ahan Shetty.

He added, “I wanted to know what I’d be doing in the film. I told the casting agent, ‘Don’t waste me.’ As an actor, you’re always scared that no one will value you. Plus, if you’re not a star kid, one wrong move can lead everything to go in vain. Earlier I’d be okay with a two-day role, but the industry makes you fear your instinct.”

After being narrated his role in the sequel to the 1997 hit Border, Cheema was certain he wanted to be a part of it. But there was another concern — he was asked to audition for a turbaned character. “I know I’m a Sardar and look good in a turban, but why only that? That’s where the typecasting starts. I convinced Anurag sir to let me play a Haryanvi guy.” 

If landing the film was a professional leap, inhabiting a real-life character came with immense emotional gravity. As they shot the war drama in Jhansi, Cheema lived among soldiers and was struck by their resilience.

“One day, I asked a soldier how things were at home. He told me his wife had passed away, and his mother was raising his daughter who was little. Yet he stood in front of me, smiling. If I’m portraying [such soldiers’] lives, it has to be absolutely correct.”

In 2025, mid-day had reported that the second season of ‘Black Warrant’ was deferred due to disagreements between creator Vikramaditya Motwane and Netflix India (No warrant to shoot, Sept 26). When asked about its fate, Cheema, who played a jailer, said that things are back on track. “Some delays are good for the material. Netflix changing its strategy was a big part of the reason, but now the season will be better.”