The Vvaan: Force of the Forest — Sidharth Malhotra Enters a Dark World of Myth, Mystery and Folklore

Sidharth Malhotra is heading into a very different cinematic world with The Vvaan: Force of the Forest, a folklore-driven fantasy thriller that combines mythology, mystery, action and an ancient supernatural force. Here’s everything you need to know about the highly anticipated movie.

Sidharth Malhotra is taking on a genre that audiences have not seen him explore quite like this before. The Vvaan: Force of the Forest brings the actor together with Tamannaah Bhatia in a story rooted in Indian folklore, forbidden forests and supernatural mythology.

Directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra and written by Arunabh Kumar, the film is being produced through a collaboration involving Balaji Telefilms and TVF. The project has attracted attention because of its unusual premise and its attempt to bring traditional folklore into a large-scale mainstream Hindi movie.

What Is The Vvaan: Force of the Forest About?

At the center of The Vvaan is a rational, city-bred man played by Sidharth Malhotra. He returns to his ancestral village and initially refuses to believe the stories surrounding a mysterious forest.

For generations, the forest has been associated with ancient beliefs and warnings. But when Sidharth's character crosses into the forbidden territory, he encounters a force that challenges everything he believes about reality.

The story gradually moves from skepticism toward supernatural mystery as the character becomes connected to the fate of the village and the powerful presence protecting the forest. The film explores the conflict between logic and faith while placing its protagonist in a world where folklore begins to feel frighteningly real.

Sidharth Malhotra Plays a Completely Different Kind of Hero

One of the biggest attractions of The Vvaan is Sidharth Malhotra's character.

Rather than beginning as someone who already understands the supernatural world, his character approaches the mysterious events from a position of skepticism. That gives the story an important transformation: the man who initially questions the legends eventually finds himself directly involved in them.

The teaser also gives audiences a glimpse of Sidharth facing an apparently supernatural threat, including a striking moment involving a trident.

Tamannaah Bhatia's Role

Tamannaah Bhatia stars opposite Sidharth Malhotra, although much of her character remains under wraps.

The first teaser deliberately keeps her appearance limited, but it suggests that her character has a significant connection to the forest and its supernatural mythology. Her presence appears to be tied to the larger mystery surrounding the ancient force.

That mystery could become one of the film's major story elements when the full movie arrives.

A Folklore Story With Mythology and Horror

The Vvaan is not being presented as a conventional action movie. It combines several genres, including fantasy, folk horror, mythology and thriller elements.

The teaser introduces a forbidden forest protected by an ancient and dangerous force. Traditional chants, mysterious imagery, religious symbolism and an atmosphere of dread give the movie a distinct visual identity.

The film's mythology also draws on imagery associated with Goddess Durga, including tiger symbolism and divine iconography.

Who Is Directing The Vvaan?

The movie is directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra, best known for his work on the hugely popular Panchayat.

That makes The Vvaan an interesting change of direction for Mishra, moving from grounded heartland storytelling into a much larger world of mythology and fantasy.

The film is written by Arunabh Kumar, while the production involves Balaji Telefilms and TVF Motion Pictures. The announced cast also includes Maniesh Paul, Sunil Grover, Shweta Tiwari and Anup Soni alongside Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia.

The Movie Has Gone Through Additional Shooting

The production has also made headlines because additional shooting was reportedly arranged to strengthen parts of the movie, particularly its climax.

In June, reports said the makers had planned a 10-day additional schedule after reviewing the film's final cut. The purpose was reportedly to expand certain sequences and make the ending more impactful.

Later reports in August claimed that the project had undergone more extensive reshoots and editing changes, with Sidharth reportedly requesting an additional 17 days of filming. Those reports also alleged changes involving members of the original creative team. The makers had not publicly confirmed all of those claims at the time.

Why The Vvaan Looks Different From Typical Bollywood Thrillers

The biggest difference is its setting and mythology.

Instead of relying on a familiar urban thriller formula, The Vvaan places its story inside an ancient forest and builds its mystery around Indian folklore. The teaser emphasizes mist-covered landscapes, ritualistic imagery, dark forests and supernatural forces.

The approach also places the movie within a growing interest in Indian folklore-based cinema, with filmmakers exploring regional legends and mythology through contemporary genres.

When Is The Vvaan: Force of the Forest Releasing?

The Vvaan: Force of the Forest is currently scheduled to arrive in cinemas on September 25, 2026. The release date has changed during the film's development; an earlier announcement had placed the movie on May 15, 2026.

With its theatrical release now approaching, the movie is positioned as one of Sidharth Malhotra's more unusual upcoming projects.

What the Teaser Reveals

The first teaser keeps the actual plot deliberately mysterious.

It introduces a cursed forest, an ancient supernatural presence and Sidharth's character entering a world he does not initially understand. Visuals of idols, red lighting, tiger imagery, forests and a trident-wielding Sidharth establish the film's mythology without revealing too much of the story.

That leaves one major question hanging over the movie: what exactly is waiting inside the forest?

The answer will have to wait for the full film.

Final Thoughts

The Vvaan: Force of the Forest is shaping up as a major genre shift for Sidharth Malhotra. With Tamannaah Bhatia alongside him, a folklore-based supernatural story, an experienced creative team and an atmospheric forest setting, the movie is taking a distinctly different route from the usual Bollywood thriller.

The film's real appeal lies in the mystery surrounding its mythology. Rather than explaining everything upfront, the teaser introduces a world where ancient beliefs, divine forces and modern skepticism collide.

If The Vvaan successfully expands that mythology into a complete cinematic story, the mysterious forest could become the most important character in the movie.

Release Date: September 25, 2026
Genre: Fantasy / Folklore Thriller
Starring: Sidharth Malhotra, Tamannaah Bhatia, Maniesh Paul, Sunil Grover, Shweta Tiwari and Anup Soni
Director: Deepak Kumar Mishra
Writer: Arunabh Kumar
Production: Balaji Telefilms and TVF Motion Pictures