The Vvaan Movie Review 2026: A Folklore Fantasy With a Promising Idea
The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest arrives in theatres with an unusual combination of Indian folklore, fantasy, mystery, action and supernatural elements. Directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra and written by Arunabh Kumar, the film stars Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia in the lead roles. It was released in India on September 25, 2026.
The film's central attraction is its setting. Instead of using a familiar urban backdrop, The Vvaan takes viewers into a mysterious forest in Bihar, where local beliefs, an ancient legend and a forbidden area become connected to the lives of a modern couple.
That premise sounds intriguing on paper, and the trailers clearly lean into the mystery. But now that the movie has reached theatres, early reviews suggest that the execution is more uneven than the basic concept. Critics have particularly discussed the film's folklore, atmosphere and visual ambition, while several reviews have raised concerns about the screenplay and second half.
IMDB Rating:
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The Vvaan Story and Plot
The story follows Rishi, played by Sidharth Malhotra, a rational city-based man living in Mumbai with his wife Mamta, portrayed by Tamannaah Bhatia.
The couple returns to Rishi's ancestral village in Bihar. What initially appears to be a practical visit involving inherited land soon becomes connected to an old local belief surrounding Vandevi and a forbidden forest.
There is a strict rule associated with the forest: people are not supposed to enter after sunset. Rishi, who approaches the world through logic rather than superstition, does not initially accept the importance of these warnings.
His decision to enter the forest changes everything.
The film then brings together an old folklore, supernatural events, questions of faith and a conflict involving the forest and development. Rishi gradually finds himself caught between his rational understanding of the world and experiences that are increasingly difficult to explain through logic.
The story also connects with Chhath Puja and regional traditions, giving the fantasy narrative a specifically Indian cultural setting rather than presenting a generic haunted-forest story.
I am keeping the final twists and ending out of this section so readers can experience those developments themselves.
The Vvaan Cast and Characters
Sidharth Malhotra as Rishi
Sidharth Malhotra plays Rishi, the film's central character.
Rishi is presented as a rational, modern man who initially has little patience for supernatural explanations. That makes his journey particularly important because the story gradually places him in situations where his ordinary understanding of reality is challenged.
The character also gives Malhotra an opportunity to work in a folklore-driven fantasy setting, something different from a conventional romantic or action role.
Tamannaah Bhatia as Mamta
Tamannaah Bhatia plays Mamta, Rishi's wife.
Mamta has a stronger connection with faith and tradition than Rishi. Her character helps establish the emotional and spiritual side of the story, particularly through the film's connection with Chhath Puja and the beliefs surrounding Vandevi.
This is also the first film pairing of Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia.
Anup Soni
Anup Soni is part of the supporting cast and plays Shashi Bhaiya according to current cast listings. His character is connected to the village side of the story.
Shweta Tiwari
Shweta Tiwari plays Sushila, another important supporting character within the film's village setting.
Sunil Grover and Maniesh Paul
Sunil Grover and Maniesh Paul also appear in important roles. Their presence adds a lighter and more commercial element to a story that otherwise revolves heavily around folklore, mystery and supernatural events.
The wider cast includes Avtar Gill, Milind Gunaji, Sulabha Arya, Durgesh Kumar, Manu Rishi Chadha and others.
Acting and Performances
The performances are one of the areas where the film receives a mixed response.
Sidharth Malhotra has to carry much of the story because Rishi is the character through whom the audience discovers the strange world of the forest. His performance works best when the character's disbelief starts giving way to uncertainty.
Tamannaah Bhatia brings a different energy as Mamta. Her character is more closely connected to faith and tradition, which creates an important contrast with Rishi's rational outlook.
Several early reviews have also noted the supporting performances, although opinions differ on how effectively the supporting characters are used. India Today described the film as having strong ideas but an overcrowded execution, while other reviews have focused more positively on its atmosphere and folklore setting.
So, the performances are worth noticing, but the screenplay does not always give every character enough space to develop fully.
Direction and Screenplay
Deepak Kumar Mishra directs The Vvaan, with Arunabh Kumar credited for the story, screenplay and writing. Mishra is known for work associated with the TVF ecosystem, and this film represents a move into large-scale fantasy cinema.
The director's biggest achievement is creating a world that feels rooted in Indian folklore rather than simply copying familiar international fantasy-horror formulas.
The forest, village traditions, Vandevi mythology and Chhath-related imagery give the movie its own cultural identity.
The screenplay is more problematic.
Multiple reviews published on September 25 have pointed to an uneven narrative, particularly after the initial setup. Hindustan Times described the movie as having two uneven halves, while Bollywood Hungama also highlighted the screenplay as a major weakness.
The basic story has enough material for an engaging fantasy adventure, but the film tries to combine several ideas—folklore, faith, supernatural mystery, romance, humour, action and development conflict. At times, these elements compete with rather than strengthen each other.
Genre and Themes
The Vvaan does not fit neatly into one genre.
It combines:
- Fantasy
- Mystery
- Thriller
- Action
- Adventure
- Folklore
- Supernatural drama
- Humour
- Romance
The strongest thematic element is the conflict between faith and rational thinking.
Rishi represents a modern, logical worldview, while the village is deeply connected to traditions and beliefs surrounding the forest. The film uses this contrast to explore what happens when an apparently rational person encounters something he cannot easily explain.
Other themes include:
- Faith versus disbelief
- Human greed
- Nature and development
- Family
- Regional folklore
- Tradition
- Protection of sacred spaces
- The relationship between humans and the supernatural
Music, Cinematography and Visuals
The visual world is one of the more important parts of The Vvaan Movie Review 2026.
The film uses forests, temples, village landscapes and supernatural imagery to create its atmosphere. The official credits list Manu Anand as Visual Director and Director of Photography.
The music team includes Vishal Mishra, Amit Trivedi, Tanishk Bagchi and Sam C. S., while Sandeep Shirodkar handles the background score.
Songs such as "Chhathi Maiya" also connect the film to its Bihar and Chhath cultural setting.
The trailers were especially effective at selling the forest as a mysterious character in its own right. The official trailer combines dark woods, religious imagery, supernatural forces and large-scale visuals to establish the film's fantasy world.
The Vvaan Movie Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest |
| Release Year | 2026 |
| Release Date | September 25, 2026 |
| Language | Hindi |
| Country | India |
| Genre | Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller |
| Director | Deepak Kumar Mishra |
| Writer | Arunabh Kumar |
| Dialogue | Anandeshwar Dwivedi |
| Producers | Shobha Kapoor, Ektaa R Kapoor, Arunabh Kumar, Niraj Kothari |
| Production | Balaji Motion Pictures, TVF Motion Pictures, 11:11 Productions |
| Main Cast | Sidharth Malhotra, Tamannaah Bhatia, Anup Soni, Shweta Tiwari, Sunil Grover, Maniesh Paul |
| Cinematography / Visual Director | Manu Anand |
| Editor | Nitin Baid |
| Music | Vishal Mishra, Amit Trivedi, Tanishk Bagchi, Sam C. S. |
| Background Score | Sandeep Shirodkar |
| Certification | U/A 16+ in India |
| Certified Runtime | 136 minutes 25 seconds |
| Theatrical Format | 2D |
The Indian certification information lists a U/A 16+ certificate and a runtime of 136 minutes 25 seconds, with no cuts or audio-visual modifications requested during certification. Some international listings show different runtimes because different versions/classification listings can vary.
The Vvaan Trailer Review
The official trailer was released on September 16, 2026 by Balaji Motion Pictures. It runs for roughly 2 minutes 44 seconds and introduces the film's central mystery.
The trailer establishes a simple but effective question: what is really hiding inside the forbidden forest?
It shows Rishi entering a world controlled by beliefs that he does not initially understand. Mamta's character is more closely connected to the spiritual side of the story, while the forest appears to hold a mysterious connection with Rishi himself.
The trailer also shows:
- A forbidden forest
- Vandevi-related mythology
- Supernatural events
- Chhath Puja imagery
- Romance between Rishi and Mamta
- Action sequences
- Humour
- A conflict involving the forest and development
The trailer successfully communicates that The Vvaan is not intended to be a straight horror film. It is a broader fantasy adventure mixing several genres.
What Works in The Vvaan?
1. The folklore setting
The biggest advantage is the decision to build the story around Indian folklore and a Bihar-based setting. It gives the supernatural material a distinct cultural background.
2. The central mystery
The forbidden forest and Vandevi mythology create enough curiosity to keep the viewer interested in the first part of the story.
3. Visual atmosphere
The forest, temples and supernatural imagery give the movie a large cinematic canvas. Several reviews have acknowledged the film's visual ambition.
4. Sidharth and Tamannaah's pairing
The film brings Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia together for the first time, giving the story a fresh lead pairing.
5. Cultural elements
The use of Chhath Puja and regional folklore helps the movie feel more rooted in an Indian environment.
What May Not Work in The Vvaan?
1. Uneven screenplay
This is the most common criticism in the early reviews. Several critics feel that the film begins with an interesting idea but struggles to maintain the same level of engagement later.
2. Too many genres at once
Fantasy, folklore, horror, comedy, romance and action can work together, but the transitions are not always smooth. The film occasionally feels like it is moving between different storytelling styles.
3. Character development
Some supporting characters do not receive enough development before the story moves on to its larger supernatural conflict.
4. Second-half execution
Multiple reviews have specifically identified the second half and climax as weaker than the initial setup.
Who Should Watch The Vvaan?
The Vvaan may appeal to viewers who enjoy:
- Indian folklore-based movies
- Fantasy adventures
- Supernatural mysteries
- Forest and village-based stories
- Sidharth Malhotra movies
- Tamannaah Bhatia movies
- Mythology-inspired cinema
- Hindi fantasy thrillers
- Stories involving faith and supernatural forces
If you prefer tightly written mystery thrillers with minimal comedy and a single consistent tone, the film's mixed-genre approach may feel less satisfying.
The Vvaan Movie Review 2026: Final Verdict
The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest starts with a genuinely interesting idea: take Indian folklore, place it inside a mysterious forest in Bihar and put a rational modern man at the centre of a supernatural conflict.
That foundation works.
The film also benefits from its visual world, cultural setting and the combination of Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia. However, the early critical response points to a common issue—the screenplay does not consistently maintain the strength of its opening idea. Several reviews have described the narrative as uneven or crowded, particularly in the second half.
The critical response on release day is mixed: Bollywood Hungama and Filmibeat have rated it around 2/5–2.5/5, while other reviewers have been somewhat more positive about the atmosphere, performances or folklore elements.
For this review, I would give the movie:
Overall Rating: 2.5/5 ⭐
This is an editorial rating based on the film itself and the verified early critical response, not an official rating.
The Vvaan OTT Release: Where Can You Watch It Online?
At the time of this review, The Vvaan is primarily available in theatres following its September 25, 2026 release.
A specific official OTT premiere date has not been confirmed in the reliable sources checked for this article. Third-party websites have reported or predicted possible streaming arrangements, including Amazon Prime Video, but those claims should not be presented as an official release date without confirmation from the filmmakers or streaming platform.
Therefore:
The Vvaan OTT Platform: Not officially confirmed
The Vvaan OTT Release Date: Not officially announced
Current Legal Viewing Option: Theatres
Readers should be cautious about websites claiming a precise OTT date before an official announcement. Current streaming trackers also state that the streaming release has not yet been announced.
The Vvaan Movie 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is The Vvaan movie about?
The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest follows Rishi, a rational city man who returns to his ancestral village in Bihar and becomes involved with an ancient legend surrounding a forbidden forest and Vandevi.
2. When was The Vvaan released?
The movie was released theatrically in India on September 25, 2026.
3. Who directed The Vvaan?
The film was directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra.
4. Who wrote The Vvaan?
Arunabh Kumar is credited with the story, screenplay and writing, while Anandeshwar Dwivedi is credited for the dialogue.
5. Who are the lead actors in The Vvaan?
The main cast includes Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia, with Sunil Grover, Maniesh Paul, Shweta Tiwari and Anup Soni in supporting roles.
6. What is The Vvaan runtime?
The Indian CBFC certification information lists the runtime as 136 minutes and 25 seconds, or approximately 2 hours 16 minutes.
7. What is The Vvaan's certification?
The movie received a U/A 16+ certificate from the CBFC. Reports state that it passed certification without cuts or audio-visual modifications.
8. Is The Vvaan a horror movie?
It is better described as a fantasy mystery thriller with supernatural, folklore and horror elements rather than a conventional horror film. Current listings classify it across action, adventure, fantasy, mystery and thriller genres.
9. Is The Vvaan available on OTT?
Not yet. As of September 25, 2026, the film's official OTT release date has not been announced in the reliable sources checked for this article.
10. Is The Vvaan worth watching?
If you enjoy Indian folklore, supernatural mysteries, fantasy adventures and stories rooted in regional traditions, The Vvaan has an interesting premise and strong visual ideas. However, early reviews have raised concerns about the screenplay and second-half execution, so expectations should be kept realistic.
Article information checked: September 25, 2026. Release-day reviews and OTT information can change as additional official announcements and audience responses become available.