The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest has generated mixed reactions from critics, with reviews ranging from strong praise for its folklore-driven concept to sharp criticism of its screenplay, comedy and execution.
Starring Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia, the film blends Indian folklore, supernatural elements, faith, fantasy and the cultural backdrop of Chhath Puja. While several reviewers found potential in the premise and performances, others felt the story became increasingly unfocused as it moved toward its climax.
Based on the nine reviews considered here, the film has an average rating of 2.31/5, with 2 positive, 3 neutral and 4 negative reviews.
The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest — Review Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Average Rating | 2.31/5 |
| Positive Reviews | 2 |
| Neutral Reviews | 3 |
| Negative Reviews | 4 |
| Total Reviews Counted | 9 |
| Overall Score | 33% Positive |
The following is a summary of what individual critics had to say about the movie.
Filminformation — 2/5
Reviewer: Komal Nahta
Komal Nahta found the film’s comedy underwhelming and felt that its emotional moments failed to make a strong impact. According to the review, director Deepak Kumar Mishra does not manage to maintain the audience’s attention throughout the film.
The review was largely negative but pointed to one possible area of appeal: the film’s connection with Chhath Maa and its devotional elements, which could give it some appeal in the Bihar circuit.
Read the full review at Filminformation
NDTV — 2/5
Reviewer: Saibal
NDTV’s review questioned whether the filmmaking team could successfully translate its experience with popular shows such as Panchayat and Gullak into a dark fantasy set in a mysterious forest.
The review ultimately described the movie as a story that struggles to find its way through its own setting. The forest, which should have provided much of the film’s mystery and atmosphere, instead becomes part of a narrative that the reviewer felt never fully comes together.
The Indian Express — 0.5/5
Reviewer: Shubhra
The Indian Express was among the harshest reviews of The Vvaan.
The review criticized the film’s narrative coherence, arguing that its various action sequences, supernatural elements and character moments fail to form a convincing story. It also compared Sidharth Malhotra’s physical heroics to the style associated with Prabhas.
The review’s central complaint was that the movie appears to lose sight of basic storytelling logic while moving between its different ideas.
Read the full review at The Indian Express
News18 — 3/5
Reviewer: Chirag
News18 took a more balanced view of the film.
The review credited The Vvaan for attempting something different by combining Indian folklore with fantasy. It also highlighted the cast’s performances, selected humorous moments and some of the film’s dialogue.
However, the review identified an uneven screenplay as one of the movie’s biggest weaknesses. Forced comedy and songs that do not always fit naturally into the narrative were also cited as factors that prevent the film from maintaining its momentum.
Read the full review at News18
India Today — 2/5
Reviewer: Anisha
India Today found some appeal for viewers who enjoy Indian folklore and supernatural stories.
The review suggested that the movie could work as a one-time watch for audiences interested in this genre. However, it also felt that the film’s execution does not fully capture the sense of fear and mystery suggested by its premise.
The forest and mythology appear more compelling as an idea than they ultimately become on screen, according to the review.
Read the full review at India Today
India.com — 4/5
Reviewer: Priyanka
India.com offered one of the most positive assessments among the reviews considered here.
The review praised the movie for combining faith, tradition, progress and questions of logic without becoming overly focused on just one of these themes. It also considered the film accessible to families, including children and older viewers.
The timing of the release was another positive factor highlighted by the review. With Chhath Puja providing a strong cultural backdrop, the film was described as an engaging option for the weekend.
Read the full review at India.com
Hindustan Times — 2.5/5
Reviewer: Rishabh
Hindustan Times saw considerable potential in the film’s central concept: a fantasy horror story connected to a Goddess and the traditions surrounding Chhath Puja.
The review suggested that this premise could have given The Vvaan a distinctive Indian identity. Instead, it felt that the film became distracted by comedy, songs and other elements competing for attention.
As a result, the mythology and Goddess at the heart of the story were not explored as deeply as the premise seemed to promise.
Read the full review at Hindustan Times
Times of India — 2.5/5
Reviewer: Archika
The Times of India review recognized the ingredients of a more ambitious fantasy thriller but felt they were not brought together consistently.
The film’s folklore, atmosphere and visual ambition were identified as some of its stronger aspects. However, rushed character development and a more conventional supernatural conflict weakened the overall impact.
The review also noted that the story could have explored themes such as faith, greed, development and the consequences of disturbing nature in greater depth. Instead, it settles for a moderately engaging supernatural adventure that does not completely realize the potential of its premise.
Read the full review at Times of India
Moneycontrol — 2/5
Moneycontrol was critical of the way the movie handles its mythology and story structure.
The review felt that the connection to Chhath does not develop naturally enough and that the climax pushes the story into increasingly unusual territory. In trying to combine several ideas, the film loses focus on telling a straightforward and engaging story.
The review acknowledged that The Vvaan has ambition, but argued that an ambitious premise cannot compensate for a screenplay that lacks clarity and cohesion.
Read the full review at Moneycontrol
What Critics Agree On About The Vvaan
Although the reviews differ considerably, several recurring themes emerge.
The Folklore-Based Concept Has Potential
The combination of Indian folklore, mythology, supernatural elements and Chhath Puja gives The Vvaan a distinctive foundation. Even some of the more critical reviews acknowledged that the central idea could have supported a stronger fantasy thriller.
The Execution Divides Critics
The biggest point of disagreement is not necessarily the concept itself but how effectively the film develops it.
Some critics appreciated the attempt to combine folklore and fantasy, while others felt that the screenplay becomes too crowded with comedy, songs, action and supernatural elements.
The Screenplay Is a Major Talking Point
Several reviews mention problems with narrative consistency, character development or the way different story elements are connected.
This suggests that the film’s reception is closely tied to how individual viewers respond to its storytelling style rather than simply its premise.
The Cultural Setting Adds Another Layer
Chhath Puja plays an important role in the film’s identity, particularly because it connects the supernatural story to a recognizable Indian cultural tradition.
Some critics viewed this as one of the movie’s more interesting aspects, while others felt the connection was not integrated naturally enough into the narrative.
The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest Review — Overall Takeaway
The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest is a film built around an unusual combination of Indian folklore, mythology, supernatural fantasy and Chhath traditions.
The reviews suggest that its strongest qualities are its basic concept, visual ambition, folklore-driven setting and the effort to create something rooted in Indian mythology. At the same time, several critics raised concerns about the screenplay, pacing, comedy, songs, character development and the number of ideas competing for attention.
With ratings ranging from 0.5/5 to 4/5, the critical response is clearly divided.
For audiences interested in Indian folklore and supernatural fantasy, the film may offer elements worth exploring. The reviews, however, differ sharply on whether those ideas have been developed into a consistently engaging cinematic experience.
Based on the nine reviews considered here, The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest currently has an average rating of 2.31/5, with 33% of the reviews classified as positive.
Review ratings and opinions belong to their respective publications and critics. The summary above presents those views without treating any single review as a definitive judgment of the film.