Bollywood has attempted plenty of franchises before, but The Vvaan: Force of the Forest is trying something a little different. Instead of leaning on remakes, sequels or existing IP, the film is building an entirely original mythology from scratch, rooted in Indian folklore. It’s set for a worldwide theatrical release on September 25, 2026, with Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia leading the way.
What’s the Story?
Directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra and written by Arunabh Kumar, The Vvaan follows a rational, city-dwelling man who returns to his ancestral village, only to find the community holding onto a longstanding prohibition against entering a particular forest, especially after dark.
Naturally skeptical of what he assumes is just superstition, he ends up entering the forbidden area anyway, and that decision pulls him into contact with a supernatural force tied to the forest and an ancient goddess.
According to the teaser, his connection to the forest runs deeper than curiosity alone; it’s tied directly to his own identity and ancestry. Tamannaah Bhatia’s character shares a romantic connection with him and plays a key role in helping him piece together the mystery surrounding the forest and what it actually means for him.
Interestingly, the film draws its inspiration from something genuinely real. It’s based on the Van Devi Temple in Bihta, near Patna, and the folklore surrounding it, giving the fantasy elements a grounded cultural anchor rather than something invented purely for the screen.
The Cast
Sidharth Malhotra plays Rishi, the film’s central character, while Tamannaah Bhatia plays Mamta, his romantic interest and guide through the mystery.
The supporting cast includes Anup Soni as Shashi Bhaiya, Shweta Tiwari as Shushila, Sunil Grover as Deepak, and Maniesh Paul as VP, alongside Milind Gunaji, Avtar Gill, Durgesh Kumar, Sundip Ved, Akshaan Sehrawat and Ajay Raju rounding out the ensemble.
Building an Entirely New Mythology
What really sets The Vvaan apart is its ambition. Rather than adapting an existing story or franchise, the makers are introducing a completely new set of characters, symbols, legends and folklore, built specifically for this cinematic universe. The recently released poster reflects that ambition too, showing a warrior-like protagonist standing between a bull and a tiger, hinting at the scale of the mythological world the film is trying to establish.
To lay the groundwork for this universe even before the film’s release, the creators put out The Legend of Vvaan comic book, giving early audiences a taste of the mythology the movie builds on. It’s a fairly unusual move for a Bollywood release, and one that suggests genuine long-term ambitions for this world beyond just a single film.
Who’s Behind It
The Vvaan is produced by Shobha Kapoor, Ektaa R. Kapoor, Arunabh Kumar and Neeraj Kothari, with Balaji Motion Pictures, TVF Motion Pictures and 11:11 Productions jointly backing the project. Manu Anand handles cinematography, and the music comes from a genuinely stacked lineup including Vishal Mishra, Amit Trivedi, Tanishk Bagchi and Sam C.S., with Sandeep Shirodkar composing the score.
Where to Watch It Later
After its worldwide theatrical run, The Vvaan will move to Amazon Prime Video for streaming, having already been showcased during Prime Video Presents: India 2026, where the platform unveiled its broader upcoming Indian content slate.
Why This One’s Worth Watching
Given the sheer scale of what the makers are attempting, an original folklore universe with real mythological roots, a strong lead pairing, and visual effects work built to match the ambition, The Vvaan looks like one of Bollywood’s more genuinely interesting bets this year.
If you’re building out your watchlist for the weeks ahead, there’s plenty else worth tracking too. Shaque: Trust No One and Hunkkaar: The Roar are both dropping around the same window, giving audiences a genuinely varied mix of releases to choose from this September.
The Vvaan: Force of the Forest releases worldwide in theatres on September 25, 2026.