Sidharth Malhotra's next 'Vvan' dives into folklore: What to expect
What's the story
Bollywood actor Sidharth Malhotra unveiled his upcoming project, Vvan, a folk thriller set in a forest on Thursday. The film's announcement was accompanied by a teaser featuring torchlight glimpses of a man walking through a dense forest toward a temple situated at its center. Intriguingly, the poster showcased two sets of eyes on either side of the forest, hinting at the title's wordplay—Vvan - Force of the Forrest. Here's more about this upcoming movie.
Inspiration source
'Vvan' speculated to draw inspiration from Iringole Kavu folklore
There's speculation that Vvan could be inspired by the folklore of Iringole Kavu—a temple situated in a dense forest in Kerala. The temple's backstory involves Lord Krishna and is dedicated to Goddess Durga. Legend has it that the temple was built by Lord Parasurama—the sixth avatar of Lord Vishnu. The area surrounding it—named Iringole after a baby girl who became one with the wind (Irrinnole)—is believed to be inhabited by gods and goddesses in the form of trees and plants.
Release date
'Vvan' to hit screens during Chhath next year
Confirming that Vvan is slated for a big-screen release during the Chhath festival next year, Malhotra made the announcement during the ongoing Chhath Puja celebrations. This is an exciting shift in Malhotra's career as he explores a genre still relatively untouched in Bollywood—a thriller based on folklore. The film's plot is likely to be set in a rural backdrop, with Indian folklore and Hindu mythology intricately woven into the storyline.
Twitter Post
In case you missed the announcement post, watch here
Excited to be part of this folk thriller, with a powerhouse team🔥 Can’t wait for you all to experience 'VVAN - Force of the forrest' on the big screen in 2025. @balajitelefilms @tvf
— Sidharth Malhotra (@SidMalhotra) November 7, 2024
Coming On Chhath, 2025#TVFxBalajiMotionPictures #Vvan #ForceOfTheForrest #ComingSoon… pic.twitter.com/mKndt51vLx
Production partnership
'Vvan' marks a collaboration between Balaji and TVF
Vvan marks a first-time collaboration between television experts (Balaji Telefilms) and an OTT-famed production house (TVF—The Viral Fever). The film is directed by Deepak Mishra, known for his authentic depiction of Indian settings and characters. His previous work on Panchayat, an Amazon Prime Video original series, showcased his expertise in portraying rural India in a relatable way. This direction is sure to bring depth and realism to Vvan, making it more than just a thriller.
Casting update
Sara Ali Khan to reportedly join 'Vvan' cast
Along with Malhotra, Sara Ali Khan has also reportedly been cast in Vvan, adding another layer of excitement to the project. However, the full ensemble is yet to be officially announced. The film will go on floors in the latter half of 2025 with the team currently fine-tuning the final script. Once contracts are signed after a final narration in November, pre-production will begin involving location scouting, and set design for an authentic depiction of rural India.