MUMBAI: When filmmaker Nidhi Dutta says she’s delivering two babies at the same time, she means it, literally and metaphorically. As the writer and producer of the much-anticipated war epic Border 2, Nidhi is currently in the final month of her pregnancy. And instead of slowing down, she’s actively leading the project from the frontlines—currently stationed in Pune, where the film is in the middle of an intense schedule with Sunny Deol, Ahan Shetty, Diljit Dosanjh, and Varun Dhawan.
“Border 2 is not just a film for me; it’s a legacy, it’s a promise I made to my father, and now, it’s a story I get to tell while bringing my own child into the world. There couldn’t have been a more meaningful chapter in my life,” she shares.
Nidhi is the daughter of legendary filmmaker J.P. Dutta, whose 1997 film Border remains one of Indian cinema’s most beloved war dramas. With Border 2, she’s not only continuing his legacy but also bringing new stories from the 1971 Indo-Pak war to light—different battles, untold heroes, and the same spirit of sacrifice.
The producer even shared a photo of her holding the muhrat clap while pregnant on her social media with the caption,
"She smiled… Holding one baby in her hands and waiting to hold the other one too… thinking of the fact that these moments & memories would live within her forever…"
What makes her journey even more compelling is the way she’s embraced the dual roles of filmmaker and mother-to-be with grace, focus, and fierce commitment.
On set, she’s overseeing action blocks, coordinating departments, and handling a cast of four leading men—all while managing the physical demands of the final weeks of pregnancy. The crew, she says, has been a source of endless support. From ensuring her diet is nutritionally aligned with her needs to creating safe and quiet spaces on set, the team has made it a point to protect both the filmmaker and the mother in her.
“Some days are tough, of course. But I’ve never felt stronger. I didn’t know this version of me existed, someone who could carry life inside while building a world outside. It’s empowering beyond words,” she reflects.
This isn’t just a story of professional multitasking. It’s a testament to what women can do when backed by belief, in themselves, in their teams, and in the stories they choose to tell.
As Border 2 continues filming with the energy of its ensemble cast and the emotion of its origins, Nidhi stands at the centre of it all, a woman balancing legacy and future, passion and patience, creation and creation. One baby will arrive in her arms. The other, on the big screen.
Add new comment