Who Is Medha Rana? Meet Varun Dhawan’s Leading Lady in Border 2

A new face is set to light up the silver screen in one of the most anticipated films of 2026—Border 2. Actress Medha Rana, known for her work in web series and music videos, will star opposite Varun Dhawan in the sequel to the 1997 war classic Border. The official announcement, made by T-Series on July 28, has sparked curiosity around the young talent, especially among fans of patriotic dramas.

Let’s take a closer look at Medha Rana’s journey—from her early beginnings in modeling to making her Bollywood debut in a film as iconic as Border 2.

Who Is Medha Rana?

Born on December 25, 1999, Medha Rana hails from a Bengaluru-based Army family and was raised in Gurugram. She completed her schooling at Army Public School and later graduated from Christ University, Bengaluru, with a BBA in Finance and Marketing.

Medha's foray into modeling was a serendipitous moment—she was just 13 when fashion choreographer Prasad Bidapa spotted her at a mall in Chandigarh during a fashion event. Though initially taken lightly, fate led her family to move to Bengaluru, where she began modeling under Bidapa’s mentorship at age 16.

Early Work & Rise to Fame

Before stepping into mainstream cinema, Medha appeared in numerous TV commercials and music videos. She’s been featured in campaigns for Ponds, Livon, Nescafé, and more.

Her acting debut came in 2022 with the Voot Select thriller London Files, where she starred opposite Arjun Rampal and Purab Kohli as the character Maya Roy. Her performance gained praise, but her popularity surged with the Netflix original Friday Night Plan (2023), where she starred alongside Babil Khan in a coming-of-age tale produced by Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani.

Medha has also appeared in:

• Dancing on the Grave (Prime Video docuseries, based on true crime)

• Music Videos: Barsaat (Armaan Malik), Gul (Anuv Jain), Dil Kissko Du (Aastha Gill), 

• Ishq In The Air opposite Shantanu Maheshwari

Border 2: The Big Break

Medha’s casting in Border 2 marks a turning point in her career. She will star opposite Varun Dhawan in a pivotal role that brings emotional depth and a fresh dynamic to the patriotic saga. The sequel is directed by Anurag Singh and produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, J.P. Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta.

Sharing the announcement on Instagram, Medha expressed her joy with two simple words:

“Immense gratitude.”

 What the Makers Say:

Nidhi Dutta, co-producer and daughter of the original Border director J.P. Dutta, shared:

“Border 2 is not just a film; it’s an emotion. Medha brings a sincerity and freshness that aligns perfectly with our vision.”

Bhushan Kumar added:

“We needed someone who could reflect the essence of the region authentically. Medha impressed us with her natural command of dialect and emotional depth.”

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Interesting Facts About Medha Rana

• Fitness enthusiast: She practices yoga and boxing, though she also played tennis, basketball, and swam during school.

•  She was introduced to modeling by chance, but pursued it seriously only after moving to Bengaluru.

•  Comes from an Army background, which adds a personal layer to her role in a war-themed film.

• Got her first acting break through a random audition that turned into multiple workshops before she bagged her role in London Files.

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About Border 2

Border 2 continues the legacy of the 1997 blockbuster Border, which chronicled the Battle of Longewala during the 1971 India-Pakistan war. The sequel stars:

• Varun Dhawan

• Medha Rana

• Diljit Dosanjh

• Ahan Shetty

• Sunny Deol (returning to the franchise)

Directed by: Anurag Singh
Release date: January 23, 2026

The film promises to be a monumental saga of courage, sacrifice, and patriotism.

At just 25, Medha Rana is poised to make one of the most significant Bollywood debuts in recent years. With a strong foundation in acting, modeling, and a background that resonates with her role, she brings both authenticity and freshness to Border 2. As audiences eagerly await the film’s release in 2026, all eyes will be on this rising star to see how she holds her own in a cast of seasoned actors.

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