‘The Vvaan: Force Of The Forrest’ Review: Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia’s Ambitious Folklore Fantasy Struggles To Find Its Rhythm

There is something inherently fascinating about Indian folklore. “Kantara” proved how effectively local myths and beliefs can draw audiences into a cinematic world, prompting more filmmakers to explore this rich terrain. “The Vvaan: Force Of The Forrest” attempts to tap into the same well of Indian mythology and folklore, but takes a more fantastical route.

The film brings together folklore, mythology, fantasy, mystery, action and comedy, creating a world where the supernatural exists alongside the everyday. At its core is a relatively fresh story, giving the makers room to build a universe of their own while playing with familiar genre tropes.

The story revolves around Rishi (Sidharth Malhotra) and his wife Mamta (Tamannaah Bhatia), whose otherwise happy life is overshadowed by their inability to have a child. A tragic incident leads Rishi to distance himself from his ancestral village. However, a land deal brings him back during Chhath Puja. Surrounded by a dense forest, the village follows one strict rule: no one is allowed to enter the forbidden forest after sunset.
 

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The reason soon becomes clear. Spirits are believed to be locked inside the temple, held back by the presence of the deity. But when a land deal promoted by Deepak (Sunil Grover) sparks a dispute over whether a portion of the forest can be cleared to build a road, greed begins to collide with local beliefs. What follows forms the crux of the film.

The premise holds promise; the execution, however, is uneven. “The Vvaan” goes through several ups and downs, with its momentum repeatedly interrupted. Just when the film manages to establish an intriguing atmosphere, the treatment takes away from its impact.

The fantasy elements are ambitious, but some of the influences are difficult to overlook. The Bhootagya, for instance, evokes shades of the Dementors from the Harry Potter universe, while some of the other supernatural entities have a distinctly zombie-like appearance. The make-up and creature design also leave room for improvement, making some of the film’s more ambitious sequences less convincing than they should be. Tracks like “Samjho Na” and “Thummak Thummak” make for pleasant viewing. The Aigiri Nandini track, while impressive, feels a tad overused in the film.

That said, “The Vvaan” has an interesting world to draw on. With tighter writing, stronger visual effects and a more consistent tone, the film could have made greater use of its folklore-driven premise.

Sidharth Malhotra brings conviction to Rishi, a man gradually pulled into a world he doesn’t fully understand. His performance provides the film with an anchor, particularly when the narrative begins to wander. Tamannaah Bhatia, however, has little to do. Mamta lacks the depth and character arc needed to make her presence feel substantial.

The supporting cast adds weight to the proceedings. Anup Soni, as Rishi’s brother Shashi, brings gravitas to the family drama, while Shweta Tiwari is effective as Sushila. Don’t miss the nods to Soni’s popular show “Crime Patrol” and Tiwari's calling card “Kasautii Zindagii Kay.” Maniesh Paul, as Rishi’s friend, brings his flair for comedy, although the humor swings between genuinely funny moments and juvenile gags. Sunil Grover adds menace as Deepak, even if the performance occasionally veers into over-the-top territory.

Writer-director Deepak Kumar Mishra, the creator of “Panchayat”, understands the world he is building and establishes it at a brisk pace. However, Arunabh Kumar, TVF founder and the film’s writer, doesn’t quite bring the quirks and complexities that made the people of Phulera in “Panchayat” so engaging to this story.

Ultimately, “The Vvaan” is an ambitious attempt to turn Indian folklore into a mainstream fantasy adventure, and its strength lies in the world it tries to create. The plot has the ingredients for an engaging genre experience, but inconsistent writing, uneven pacing and underwhelming creature design prevent it from fully realizing its potential. Malhotra delivers a committed performance, but this folklore-rich universe deserves a more cohesive, visually convincing screenplay. The film keeps you fairly entertained, but misses out on becoming the movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat.