The Vvaan Force of the Forrest.
A fascinating blend of folklore, faith, mystery and fantasy that brings a lesser-known Indian legend to the big screen with scale and spectacle.
There is something instantly intriguing about a story that takes us beyond the familiar and into the world of forgotten folklore. The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest attempts exactly that - weaving together mythology, faith, mystery and fantasy around the haunting folklore of Van Devi, while giving it a distinctly contemporary cinematic treatment.
At the heart of the film is a mysterious forest, an age-old belief and a world where the line between the supernatural and the real begins to blur. What makes the premise particularly interesting is its grounding in Indian folklore rather than relying solely on conventional fantasy tropes. The film draws inspiration from the real-life legend associated with the Van Devi Temple near Patna, including the belief that the forest should not be entered after sunset.
And that sense of mystery is what keeps The Vvaan engaging.
Sidharth Malhotra in a refreshingly different avatar
Sidharth Malhotra gets an opportunity to step into a world that feels quite different from some of his recent outings, and we are loving this new avatar of his. He brings an earnestness and physicality to the character, particularly as the mystery surrounding the forest and his own connection to it begins to unfold.
There is a certain grounded quality to his performance that works well against the increasingly fantastical world around him. It is definitely a performance - and an avatar - to watch out for.
Tamannaah Bhatia is fabulous
Tamannaah Bhatia is fabulous on screen. She brings warmth, beauty and a sense of conviction to a character who is closely connected to the film's spiritual and folkloric world.
She looks absolutely beautiful throughout, but it is her screen presence that stands out. Her chemistry with Sidharth adds another layer to the narrative, giving the film an emotional centre amid all the mystery and supernatural intrigue.
Where folklore meets spectacle
The biggest draw of The Vvaan is undoubtedly its world-building. The film takes a relatively lesser-known piece of Indian folklore and attempts to turn it into a large-scale theatrical experience - something Hindi cinema doesn't explore often enough.
The combination of myth, folklore, spirituality, adventure and supernatural mystery gives the story a distinctive flavour. The forest isn't merely a backdrop; it becomes an important part of the atmosphere and storytelling.
The VFX and visual treatment further amplify this world. The mystical elements, supernatural forces and forest sequences give the film the scale expected from a theatrical fantasy adventure. The visual ambition is evident, particularly in the moments where reality gives way to the unknown.
Music & atmosphere
The music and background score work hand-in-hand with the film's mythology. The devotional and folk-inspired soundscape adds to the atmosphere rather than feeling disconnected from the story.
There is a sense of ritual and mystery running through the film's sound design, which helps establish the world and keeps the supernatural elements immersive.
The one thing that could have been tighter
The film occasionally feels like it is carrying a little more mythology, exposition and world-building than it needs to. Certain portions could have benefited from a slightly tighter narrative pace.
But these are relatively minor speed bumps in an otherwise ambitious attempt to tell an Indian folklore-inspired story on a mainstream scale.
Verdict
The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest is an entertaining theatrical experience that deserves to be seen for its unique premise, intriguing folklore, strong performances and visual ambition.
It is refreshing to see Hindi cinema venture into lesser-explored Indian legends and attempt to create a fantasy world rooted in our own cultural imagination. For audiences who enjoy mythology, folklore, mystery, fantasy and supernatural thrillers, there is plenty here to discover.
Sidharth's new avatar is a definite talking point, Tamannaah is gorgeous and terrific, and the film's combination of folklore, faith and spectacle gives it a flavour of its own.
If you're looking for something different from the usual Bollywood fare, The Vvaan is definitely one to watch out for - and one worth experiencing on the big screen.
Rating: 3.5/5
Verdict: A visually ambitious, entertaining folklore fantasy with an intriguing Indian soul.
