The Vvaan (2026) [Film Review] — Sidharth Malhotra Leads a Visually Striking Folklore Thriller

Movie: The Vvaan

Director: Deepak Kumar Mishra

Writer: Anandeshwar Dwivedi and Arunabh Kumar

Stars: Sidharth Malhotra, Tamannaah Bhatia, Sunil Grover, Avtar Gill, Sulabha Arya, Shweta Tiwari, Maniesh Paul, Anup Soni, and more.

Release Date: 25th Sept 2026

Running Time: 2 hours 16 minutes

Folklore-driven cinema can create a distinctive identity when mythology, culture, and local traditions become an organic part of the story. The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest attempts to build such a world around the legends of Van Devi and a forbidden forest in Bihar. Directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra, the film has an intriguing premise, atmospheric visuals, and enough supernatural mystery to hold attention, although its uneven writing prevents it from reaching its full potential.

A Rationalist Faces an Ancient Supernatural Force

Sidharth Malhotla plays Rishi, a city-bred rationalist who returns to his ancestral village with his wife Mamta (Tamannaah Bhatia) to sell inherited land and celebrate Chhath Puja. Rishi initially dismisses the villagers' warnings about a forest that nobody is permitted to enter after sunset. He even supports Deepak (Sunil Grover), whose plans to clear part of the forest are intended to improve connectivity.

However, everything changes when Rishi enters the forbidden forest and breaks an ancient seal. The incident awakens a supernatural force, forcing him to confront a world that challenges his rational beliefs.

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An Engaging First Half Loses Its Way

The first half is among the film's stronger sections. It establishes the village, its traditions, and the tension between development and preservation while gradually building curiosity around the mysterious forest. The grounded land dispute also gives the narrative an interesting social dimension.

Unfortunately, the second half moves increasingly toward a conventional battle between good and evil. Supernatural action and VFX-heavy sequences begin to dominate the story, reducing some of the mystery carefully developed earlier. Although the climactic confrontation delivers visual spectacle, the narrative loses some of its thematic depth along the way.

Sidharth and Tamannaah Keep It Grounded

Sidharth Malhotra carries much of the film's emotional and physical responsibility with sincerity. He is convincing in the action-driven portions, though Rishi's internal struggle with his beliefs could have received greater attention.

Tamannaah Bhatia brings warmth and restraint to Mamta despite having limited material. Her natural chemistry with Sidharth gives their marriage a believable quality, particularly as they hope to start a family.

Sunil Grover stands out in a more serious role as Deepak, adding an unpredictable edge to the character. Shweta Tiwari, Anup Soni, Maniesh Paul, and the supporting cast effectively contribute to the village setting, even when the screenplay restricts their characters.

Atmospheric Visuals Strengthen the Fantasy

The film's visual presentation is one of its biggest strengths. Cinematographer Manu Anand gives the forest an earthy and textured appearance, using mist, shadows, and dense greenery to create an appropriately mysterious atmosphere.

The VFX work is ambitious, especially during the appearances of the mystical tiger and other supernatural elements. Some effects integrate convincingly with the live-action sequences, while others feel less polished.

Sandeep Shirodkar's background score and folk-inspired chants complement the setting well. The Chhath Puja sequences and Chhathi Maiya song add regional authenticity, while Thummak Thummak provides a lively musical break.

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A Promising Fantasy Thriller That Falls Short

The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest has the foundation of a much more layered fantasy thriller. Its folklore, setting, visual ambition, and central premise are genuinely appealing, but rushed character development and an increasingly familiar supernatural conflict prevent the film from making a stronger impact.

The movie explores faith, greed, environmental exploitation, and the consequences of disturbing nature, but these ideas are not always connected smoothly. Still, Deepak Kumar Mishra's debut remains a moderately engaging supernatural adventure with enough atmosphere and spectacle to make it worth watching for fans of Indian folklore-based fantasy.

Rating: 6.5/10