THE VVAAN: Force of the Forest — Movie Review

Movie: THE VVAAN: Force of the Forest
Starring: Sidharth Malhotra, Tamannaah Bhatia, Sunil Grover, Anup Soni, Shweta Tiwari and Manish Paul
Director: Deepak Kumar Mishra
Genre: Folklore, supernatural thriller, fantasy
Release: 25.09.2026
Rating: 3/5

By Yogesh Mishra

Is it possible to combine mysterious mystery, contemporary logic, and old legend to produce an engaging movie experience? By telling a story of faith, fear, family, and the enigmatic energies concealed within a sacred forest, The Vvaan: Force of the Forest aims to investigate this fascinating area.

In the movie, we see Rishi (Sidharth Malhotra), a man from Mumbai who, during Chhath Puja, travels back to his hometown of Devanchal with his wife Mamta (Tamannaah Bhatia). An encounter with long-held ideas, a forbidden forest, and forces that push the limits of human comprehension quickly develops from what starts out as a family visit. The idea has all the makings of a compelling supernatural thriller, but the transition from an intriguing concept to a gratifying visual experience is uneven.

An intriguing basis is provided by the film’s main struggle between religion and reason. Suspense is created by Rishi’s doubts, the villagers’ respect for Van Devi, and the enigma surrounding the forest. With a planned road through the forest endangering the villagers’ cultural heritage and beliefs, the story also addresses the tension between development and tradition. But the screenplay tries to include too many ideas. The conflict between good and evil, the local politics, the magical mythos, and the core couple’s emotional issues all vie for viewers’ attention.

Sidharth Malhotra portrays Rishi with authenticity, showing a guy torn between his own grief, reason, and his village’s customs. Although the writing may have delved farther into his emotional metamorphosis, his restrained approach fits the character. Mamta receives warmth and emotional conviction from Tamannaah Bhatia. Some of the most poignant scenes in the movie come from her character’s faith and desire to become a mother. In contrast to his well-known comedic portrayal, Sunil Grover adopts a darker persona as Deepak. As vise president, Manish Paul offers moments of humorous relief, while Anup Soni and Shweta Tiwari offer solid support.

An ambient cinematic world could be created by the folklore-driven vision of directors Deepak Kumar Mishra and Arunabh Kumar. A unique environment is provided by the forest, the customs of the hamlet, and the mythology surrounding Van Devi.

An ambitious attempt to incorporate supernatural fantasy and Indian folklore into mainstream Hindi cinema is The Vvaan: Force of the Forest. Although the performances are dedicated and the main idea is intriguing, the film’s promise is not fully realized due to an overstuffed narrative and uneven execution. So, why wait? If you are a fan of thriller / horror genre, go and watch this movie in your nearest cinema hall.