The Vvaan, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia, arrives this weekend as a family drama rooted in Indian folk tradition, blending emotional depth with an undercurrent of mystery. Set in the fictional village of Devanchal against the backdrop of the Chhath festival and the legend of the forest goddess Van Devi, the film aims to reconnect Hindi cinema with the kind of local, grounded storytelling that has recently found major success in South Indian cinema. Here is a full breakdown of the story, performances, direction and verdict.
Why The Vvaan Stands Out
South Indian cinema has increasingly captivated North Indian audiences in recent years, largely because it offers content that feels authentically tied to its land and folk culture. Films such as Kantara and Tumbbad succeeded by staying close to regional legend and tradition, a quality Hindi cinema had drifted away from for some time. The Vvaan attempts to close that gap by rooting its narrative firmly in the customs and beliefs of a North Indian village.
What Is The Vvaan’s Story About?
The film is set in Devanchal, a village home to a revered temple dedicated to Van Devi, the forest goddess. According to local legend, no one is permitted to enter the forest at night, since the goddess is believed to keep watch during those hours. While the entire village holds firmly to this belief, protagonist Rishi, played by Sidharth Malhotra, dismisses it as mere superstition — and he has his own reasons for doing so.
Rishi is portrayed as a modern engineer settled in Mumbai who would rather vacation in Goa than travel home for Chhath Puja. His married life carries a deeper pain: years of trying to conceive without success, compounded by a lack of funds for IVF treatment.
Circumstances eventually force Rishi to return to Devanchal with his wife, Mamta, played by Tamannaah Bhatia, for the Chhath festival. Once there, he openly refuses to accept the village’s rules around Van Devi and defies the community by entering the forbidden forest after dark. Surprisingly, he emerges unharmed despite the risk. What is his real connection to the forest and the goddess? Is the wrath of Van Devi genuine, or is fear being used as a tool of control under the guise of faith? This central question drives the suspense at the heart of the film.
The Vvaan Cast and Performances
Sidharth Malhotra as Rishi
Sidharth Malhotra fits the role of Rishi convincingly, moving between the shades of a modern, skeptical young man and a husband left emotionally shattered by circumstance.
Tamannaah Bhatia as Mamta
Tamannaah Bhatia delivers a strong performance as Mamta, portraying a mother’s longing for a child, her unwavering faith, and quiet helplessness with notable sensitivity.
Shweta Tripathi and Anup Soni
Both seasoned performers bring experience to their roles, with Shweta Tripathi effectively embodying the character of the sister-in-law (bhabhi).
Manish Paul and Sunil Grover
Amid the film’s heavier emotional and suspenseful stretches, Manish Paul provides comic relief through his natural timing, with his on-screen presence often signaling a lighter moment ahead. Sunil Grover, who has a considerable amount of screen time, also turns in a solid performance.
Direction and Writing
The Vvaan is directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra, known for the Panchayat series, with the story written by Arunabh Kumar. The duo is recognised for capturing authentic local flavor in their work. Arunabh Kumar, the writer behind cult shows including Permanent Roommates, Pitchers, Kota Factory and Half CA, brings his signature grasp of grassroots realism to this film as well.
The atmosphere of the Devanchal region, the emotional weight of Chhath Puja, the vibrancy of the riverbank ghats, and the social fabric of the village are all depicted without artificiality. The film is produced by Ekta Kapoor, and represents the kind of grounded, culturally rooted storytelling that industry observers often say Bollywood should be making more of.
Music
The film’s music has been well received. Its Chhath song, released ahead of the film, has already found a positive response among audiences and translates well on screen.
Where The Vvaan Falls Short
The first half of the film moves briskly and never feels dull. The second half, however, feels somewhat stretched, and a tighter runtime would have served the story better.
Final Verdict: Should You Watch The Vvaan?
The Vvaan is a family entertainer that blends emotion, folk mystery and festive tradition without disappointing its audience. Backed by committed performances from Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia, grounded direction, and a story that stays true to its rural roots, it is a film worth watching on the big screen this weekend.
Rating:4
