The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia, arrived in theatres on September 25, 2026, and the critical response has been sharply divided. The film, directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra of Panchayat fame, marks the first on-screen pairing of Malhotra and Bhatia. It brings together Ektaa Kapoor’s Balaji Telefilms and TVF for a folk fantasy thriller rooted in Bihari folklore surrounding the Van Devi temple in Bihta, Bihar. While some reviewers found the first half engaging, many felt the second half lost its way.
What The Vvaan Is About
The story follows Rishi (Sidharth Malhotra), a Mumbai-based engineer and non-believer, who returns to his ancestral village in Bihar with his wife Mamta (Tamannaah Bhatia) for Chhath Puja. The couple has been struggling to conceive. Rishi plans to sell his inherited land for a road project that would cut through a sacred forest. The villagers oppose this, and Rishi soon finds himself entangled in supernatural events tied to the Van Devi legend and a forbidden forest that no one may enter after dark.
Cast And Characters
The film features an ensemble cast. Sidharth Malhotra plays Rishi, a rational man who is forced to confront forces he cannot explain. Tamannaah Bhatia plays Mamta, his wife, a believer who supports him. Sunil Grover plays Deepak, a character with two distinct shades. Anup Soni and Shweta Tiwari play Rishi’s elder brother and sister-in-law. Maniesh Paul plays Ved, a friend who provides comic relief. Sulabha Arya also appears in a supporting role.
Global Release And Where To Watch
The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest released in theatres worldwide on September 25, 2026. The film was cleared by the CBFC with a U/A 16+ certificate and zero cuts, with a runtime of 136.25 minutes. For audiences in the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia, the film is available in cinemas. Prime Video has acquired the post-theatrical streaming rights, and the film will arrive on the platform after its theatrical run. The film was previously scheduled for August 28, 2026, after being postponed from its original May 2026 release.
What Critics Are Saying
Critical reviews have been mixed, with several major outlets giving the film low ratings. The Hindustan Times review noted that the film “begins with promise but ends in a muddled mess,” giving it 2.5/5 and criticizing the choppy editing and the climax that “raises more questions than it answers”. Times of India also gave 2.5/5, stating the film “has the ingredients of a more layered fantasy thriller but does not bring them together consistently”. Cinema Express was far harsher, giving the film 1/5 and calling it “the most tedious film of the year,” noting that Sidharth Malhotra “struggles to carry the weight” of the film. NDTV said the film “is lost in the woods, never makes its way out”. ABP Live criticized the “choppy editing” and “unpolished VFX,” stating the climax “stumbles through a tonal mess”.
Where The Film Works
Not all reviews were negative. Zee News gave the film 4 stars, calling it “a solid entertainer” and praising the writing, character development, and the performances of Maniesh Paul and Sulabha Arya. Koimoi described the film as having a “proper Amar Chitra Katha feel”. Times Now News noted that the film “does a fantastic job of setting the premise” and praised its “devotional storytelling,” though it acknowledged that the second half “feels predictable”.
What Fans Are Saying
Early reactions on social media platform X were largely positive. One review called the film “TERRIFIC,” praising its mix of “ancient legends, supernatural mystery and some CRAZY edge-of-the-seat moments.” Another described it as a “wildly imaginative big-screen adventure” where “rooted folklore meets fantasy, faith and supernatural mystery.” Sidharth Malhotra’s performance was a talking point, with several viewers calling it a “new avatar” for the actor. The film’s use of Chhath Puja traditions and the Bihar setting also found appreciation.
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Box Office And Advance Booking
Advance booking for The Vvaan showed steady momentum before release. The film crossed Rs 1.46 crore in advance bookings across five show dates. Delhi-NCR led the market with Rs 12.53 lakh, followed by Mumbai at Rs 8 lakh and Hyderabad at Rs 5.27 lakh. Night shows generated the highest advance gross.
Also Read: The Vvaan Chhathi Maiya Song Out: Tamannaah Bhatia And Sidharth Malhotra Turn To Faith In Crisis
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