Sonu Nigam turned down a Filmfare for Border’s ‘Sandese Aate Hain’! Here’s the heartwarming reason

When Border stormed theatres in 1997, its stirring story and unforgettable songs like Sandese Aate Hain became part of Bollywood lore. Now Border 2, directed by Anurag Singh and starring Sunny Deol, Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, and Ahan Shetty, returns to captivate audiences with both fresh beats and nostalgic emotions.

Related Story: Border 2: Sonu Nigam defends 'Sandese Aate Hain' revival, backs Javed Akhtar’s view while honouring legacy

The Music That Mattered

Although new tracks arrive in the sequel, it’s the revamped classics - Sandese Aate Hain and To Chaloon - that have struck a chord with fans again. At the song launch in Jaisalmer, Sonu Nigam spoke to BSF jawans about how singing the original nearly three decades ago reshaped his career.

Why Sonu Turned Down Filmfare Award?

Despite being nominated for a Filmfare Award for Sandese Aate Hain, Sonu Nigam refused to accept it.

Sonu recalled, “I was shooting at Madh Island and I got a call from one of my friends and he said, ‘tereko Sandese Aate Hain ke liye award mil raha hai’, you must go. I asked Roop Kumar Rathod ji ne mere saath gaya hai, unko nominate kiya aapne, he said nahi, to maine bola phir mai award loonga hi nahi."

"Ek gaane ko do logon ne gaaya hai, Sonu Nigam ko nominate kiya aapne, Roop ji ko kyu nahi kiya. Maine bola mai aa sakta hoon to bhi nahi aaunga," he added.

For Sonu, recognition should belong equally to all who created the magic.

Must Read: Border 2’s 'Ghar Kab Aaoge' launch: Sonu Nigam recalls how ‘Sandese Aate Hai’ transformed his career

Box Office Thunder: Border 2 Roars

Meanwhile, Border 2 has exploded at the box office on its Republic Day 2026 release. It opened with a powerful ₹32.10 cr on Day 1 - one of the biggest Bollywood openings of 2026 so far - and showed strong momentum into Day 2, bringing its India total close to ₹72-75 cr. Analysts project it could cross ₹100 cr domestically and has already entered the $100 cr club worldwide within its first 48 hours.

Audiences packed shows nationwide, driving Border 2 to become one of Sunny Deol’s top-grossing films and a defining theatrical event of the year.