Verdict: A rooted folklore fantasy that builds intriguing mystery and regional flavour in the first half but loses steam later with uneven writing and conventional turns. Worth a theatre watch for fans of Indian mythology and family entertainers if you go with moderate expectations.
Pros:
Strong atmospheric forest setting and folklore elements
Sincere lead performance and solid supporting cast
Engaging mix of faith, mystery and regional culture
The Vvaan – Force of the Forrest hit theatres on 25 September 2026 as a Hindi fantasy thriller rooted in Bihar folklore. It stars Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia in their first outing together, backed by a mix of familiar faces from television and films.
The story draws from the legend of Van Devi and a forbidden forest, blending faith, mystery and supernatural elements with family drama. Early audience response has been mixed but leans positive on platforms like BookMyShow, where many viewers called it engaging and well made.
Social media discussions highlight the film’s regional flavour and first-half strengths, while critics and some viewers noted execution issues in the later portions. Rishi, a practical city man, returns to his ancestral village in Bihar with his wife Mamta over a land matter around Chhath Puja time.
The village holds an old rule: no one enters the sacred forest after sunset. When Rishi steps into the forbidden area, he awakens forces tied to the forest goddess and finds himself pulled into a larger conflict involving belief, greed and protection of the land. The film keeps the core mystery accessible without heavy spoilers, focusing on his shift from scepticism to something deeper.
Audience reactions on X and other platforms reflect a divided but engaged response. Many praised the rooted folklore, the mysterious forest atmosphere, and how the film weaves in Chhath Puja and local beliefs without feeling forced.
Sidharth Malhotra’s sincere performance and transformation drew frequent mentions, with viewers noting his confident screen presence and impactful dialogue delivery that connected especially well with audiences in regions familiar with the cultural backdrop. Supporting turns, including moments from Sunil Grover and others, also earned appreciation for adding texture.
Common complaints centred on the second half slowing down, forced comedy tracks, over explained mythology that reduced the mystery, and some uneven visual effects that felt less immersive. Overall sentiment sits in the middle: several called it a fresh family entertainer with emotional and spiritual beats that work for a one time watch, while others found the writing scattered and the climax conventional.
Those who enjoy Indian folklore stories, films that mix faith with light thrills, or family-friendly supernatural dramas will likely find enough to hold their interest. The atmospheric stretches and cultural grounding are its clearest strengths. Weaknesses in pacing and tonal consistency may leave viewers wanting tighter storytelling.
It works better on the big screen for the forest visuals and crowd moments than as a pure streaming watch later, though patience for the slower patches helps. Go if the premise appeals and expectations stay realistic.
Disclaimer: This review is based on publicly available audience reactions and discussions on X at the time of writing. Individual opinions may vary.
Kadir is a box office reporter and film analyst from Hojai, Assam, and the founder of Tenvow.com. Since 2015, he has been into box office reporting. With a focus on box office collections, OTT trends, and movie analysis, Kadir delivers accurate, data driven insights into the business of films.
