Released on 25 September 2026, The Vvaan: Force of the Forest enters the Indian cinematic landscape at a time when folk-horror is experiencing a massive resurgence. Directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra and produced by TVF Motion Pictures in collaboration with Balaji Telefilms, the film attempts to marry the grounded realism seen in shows like Panchayat with the high-octane supernatural elements of modern blockbusters. However, the result is a cinematic experiment that frequently loses its way in the thickets of its own mythology.
The Plot: Roots, Rationality, and Rituals
The story centers on Rishi (Sidharth Malhotra) and his wife Mamta (Tamannaah Bhatia). The couple returns to their ancestral village, Devanchal, during the festive period of Chhath Puja to settle a family land dispute. This return is heavy with grief: six years prior, the couple lost their unborn child, an event that stripped Rishi of his faith and turned him into a staunch rationalist.
Devanchal is governed by a strict local law: no one enters the Dev Van forest after sunset. Local legend tells of the goddess Van Devi, who trapped ancient malevolent forces known as phuddakke within the trees. To keep these spirits at bay, a sacred bracelet gifted by the goddess must be worn by the rightful heir to the forest shrine. When Rishi enters the woods after dark to rescue a lost ox and returns unscathed, the village hails him as the chosen descendant. Rishi, however, views his survival as proof that the legends are nothing more than superstitious nonsense.
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Character Analysis: Malhotra’s Rationalist vs. Grover’s Greed
Sidharth Malhotra delivers a restrained performance, effectively portraying a man who uses logic as a shield against his inner pain. His transition from a skeptic to a reluctant protector of the village is the film’s intended emotional anchor. Tamannaah Bhatia provides a soft, emotive counterpoint as Mamta, though her character is unfortunately sidelined as the plot shifts toward supernatural spectacle.
Sunil Grover, playing the antagonist Deepak, is the film’s standout. His character represents the modern threat to traditional sanctity: a local power player who wants to bulldoze the sacred forest for a development project. Grover brings a chilling intensity to the role, especially once his character’s ulterior motives regarding the sacred bracelet are revealed. The supporting cast, including Anup Soni, Shweta Tiwari, and Maniesh Paul (playing a comic-relief vlogger), adds flavor to the village setting, but their subplots often feel like unnecessary padding.
Technical Execution: Where the Forest Fails
While the concept of The Vvaan is rich, the execution falters in the technical department. The forest of Devanchal should have been a character in itself, dripping with atmosphere and dread. Instead, the cinematography often feels flat, and the forest rarely feels genuinely threatening.
The visual effects are a significant hurdle. In an era where audiences have seen high-quality CGI, the phuddakke entities in The Vvaan appear stiff and digital. The final act, which involves a mid-air confrontation between Rishi and a possessed Deepak, leans so heavily into low-budget fantasy tropes that it loses the grounded, eerie charm established in the first hour.
The Bihar Connection: Chhath Puja and Van Devi
The film’s greatest strength lies in its cultural specificity. The depiction of Chhath Puja is authentic and provides a beautiful backdrop for the unfolding drama. By tapping into Bihar’s local legends of Van Devi, the writers create a world that feels unique to the region. The use of a techno-remix of the Mahishasura Mardini stotram during action sequences is an interesting, if slightly jarring, attempt to modernize traditional religious themes.
How The Vvaan Compares to Other Folk-Horror Hits
It is impossible to watch The Vvaan without drawing comparisons to recent successes like Kantara or Munjya. While those films successfully blended local lore with gripping pacing, The Vvaan struggles to maintain its identity.
| Feature | The Vvaan (2026) | Kantara (2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Legend | Van Devi (Bihar) | Panjurli (Karnataka) |
| Core Conflict | Development vs. Faith | Land Rights vs. Spirit |
| Visual Style | Generic Horror/Fantasy | Raw and Visceral |
| VFX Quality | Inconsistent | Highly Stylized |
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Final Verdict: Is The Vvaan Worth Your Time?
The Vvaan: Force of the Forest is a film of two halves. The first half is a promising exploration of grief and the clash between urban rationalism and rural faith. The second half, however, devolves into a loud, CGI-heavy battle that sacrifices character development for spectacle.
If you are a fan of Sidharth Malhotra or have a deep interest in Indian folklore, there is enough here to keep you engaged for a one-time watch. However, those looking for a truly terrifying or philosophically deep horror experience may find the film’s muddled execution frustrating. It is a noble attempt to bring Bihar’s mythology to the big screen, but it ultimately gets lost in the very woods it tries to celebrate.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What is the meaning of the title The Vvaan?
The title is a play on the word ‘Van’ (meaning forest) with numerological adjustments. It refers to the ‘Force of the Forest’ or the spirit of the goddess guarding the woods.
2.Is The Vvaan a remake of Kantara?
No, it is an original story based on Bihar’s folk legends, specifically the origin story of Van Devi, though it shares thematic similarities regarding forest spirits.
3.Is the movie suitable for children?
The film contains supernatural scares and stylized violence that might be frightening for young children, though it is generally framed as a mythological fantasy.
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