The dust has finally settled on the release of The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest, and if the digital chatter on X is any indication, the Indian film industry has just been handed a stylistic curveball. With Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia at the helm, the film is attempting something ambitious: moving away from the safety of conventional urban romances and action thrillers to dive head-first into the murky, atmospheric world of Indian folklore and supernatural mystery.
As of this weekend, the early audience reception is painting a picture of a polarized yet undeniably intriguing cinematic experience. Whether it’s a resounding triumph or a missed opportunity depends largely on who you ask, but one thing is certain—The Vvaan is not playing it safe.
A Bold Deep-Dive Into Indian Folklore
The loudest praise for the film has focused on its world-building. In an era where many big-budget Indian films lean heavily on high-octane, generic action, director Deepak Kumar Mishra has opted for something more rooted. The film’s commitment to weaving together myths, the presence of the elusive “Van Devi,” and the folklore surrounding the Bhuttakas has struck a chord with viewers looking for intellectual substance in their popcorn entertainment.
One early reviewer on X lauded the film with a solid four-star rating, noting that the production succeeds in balancing the weight of ancient legends with the pacing of a modern entertainer. The consensus among the “pro-folklore” crowd is that Mishra has managed to create a cohesive universe that feels both alien and authentic. By grounding the supernatural in Indian myth, the film manages to bypass the “Western-fantasy-lite” trap that often plagues similar projects, giving the audience a journey that feels distinctly ours.
The Visual Spectacle: A Masterclass in Atmosphere
If there is one thing that both critics and fans seem to agree on, it is the visual language of The Vvaan. The production design, coupled with intricate costume choices and location work, has been hailed as a significant upgrade for the genre. Multiple audience members pointed out that the forest setting isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a character in its own right.
The attention to detail regarding the film’s aesthetic has been labeled “expansive,” with several viewers noting that the visual presentation creates a tangible sense of unease and wonder. When a film relies on the unknown—the whisper of trees, the weight of a legend, and the visual mystery of the woods—the craft must be impeccable. Based on the initial reactions, the technical team behind The Vvaan has clearly poured everything into ensuring the audience feels the isolation and the danger of the “Forrest.”
A Polarized First Half and the Struggle for Balance
However, it wouldn’t be a major release without a healthy dose of scrutiny. Not every reaction has been glowing. A segment of the early audience found the first half of the film to be something of a “mixed bag,” highlighting a disconnect between the film’s high-concept aspirations and its execution of commercial tropes.
Specifically, criticism has been directed toward the integration of Maniesh Paul’s comic relief, which some felt was “forced” and interrupted the growing tension of the supernatural plot. Furthermore, the inclusion of multiple song sequences within the first half-hour, combined with what some described as distracting “in-your-face” brand placements, dampened the momentum for more cynical viewers. While the interval block is being praised as a high-water mark for the movie, the narrative inconsistencies in the build-up suggest that The Vvaan struggles at times to decide whether it wants to be a gritty folk-thriller or a standard mass-market entertainer.
The Star Power: Sidharth and Tamannaah’s Risky Gamble
Sidharth Malhotra has always been an actor who carries screen presence well, but The Vvaan appears to be pushing him into a more vulnerable, reactive space. Feedback regarding his performance has been largely positive, with fans noting his confidence on screen even when the script wobbles. Pairing him with Tamannaah Bhatia, an actress known for her versatility in both pan-Indian epics and character-driven dramas, was a calculated experiment.
The partnership is being viewed as a “carefully constructed” collaboration. While the narrative might be polarizing, the chemistry and the conviction both leads bring to the material appear to be what anchors the film during its more unconventional shifts. For fans of these actors, seeing them step out of their comfort zones is a win in itself, even if the execution doesn’t land perfectly with every segment of the audience.
The Verdict: Explosive or Over-Hyped?
“Explosive” and “Unpredictable” are the two words being bandied about most frequently by those who left the theater satisfied. The fact that the film wastes no time in diving into its core conflict—without the tiresome “spoon-feeding” of plot points that plagues many modern blockbusters—is being touted as a breath of fresh air.
As The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest enters its first full week of domestic run, it sits in a precarious, albeit exciting, position. It is clearly a movie that rewards those who are willing to lean into the supernatural genre, while perhaps alienating those who want a tight, gimmick-free narrative. With its unique mix of spiritualism, myth, and high-stakes adventure, the film is undoubtedly destined to be a conversation starter. Whether it has the legs to “set the box office ablaze” or if it will be remembered as a bold experiment that fell just short, remains to be seen. But for now, The Vvaan has achieved the most difficult task for any new release: it has forced us to stop and look at the screen—and wonder what exactly is hiding in the trees.
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