The Vvaan Movie Review: Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia's Thriller Falters

After his web series success, director Deepak Kumar Mishra steps into the big league with The Vvaan, aiming to make a mark in Bollywood. His previous work in the digital space was met with appreciation, but this is his first major theatrical outing. Sidharth Malhotra, coming off a mixed run with his last few films—one a moderate success and another failing to impress—returns alongside Tamannaah Bhatia, who has recently been seen in both Hindi and South Indian projects with varying results. With a cast that includes Sunil Grover, Maniesh Paul, and Shweta Tiwari, expectations were set for an engaging mystery thriller.

Did Deepak Kumar Mishra manage to translate his web series magic to the big screen? Did Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia deliver performances that elevate the film? Did the music team, featuring names like Vishal Mishra and Amit Trivedi, provide memorable tracks? Was the film able to maintain suspense and intrigue throughout? Let's figure it out with a detailed analysis.

What is it about?

The Vvaan centers around a mysterious forest near Devanchal, where locals fear the wrath of Van Devi if anyone enters after sunset. Sidharth Malhotra (Rishi), an engineer from Devanchal now settled in Mumbai, is compelled to return to his hometown due to a summons from his brother regarding their ancestral property, which lies within the dreaded forest. Accompanied by his wife, Tamannaah Bhatia (Mamta), Rishi finds himself drawn into the enigmatic happenings surrounding the forest. The film follows his journey as he attempts to unravel the secrets and superstitions that have haunted his native place for generations.

Performances

Sidharth Malhotra (Rishi): Sidharth plays the reluctant protagonist, and while he brings a certain sincerity to the role, the lack of depth in the writing limits his impact. He tries to anchor the film with a grounded performance, but the script gives him little to work with, making his efforts feel wasted.

Tamannaah Bhatia (Mamta): Tamannaah does what she can with the material provided. Her presence in the song "Chhathi Maya" stands out as a highlight, but her character is underwritten, leaving her with minimal scope to shine beyond a few emotional moments.

Maniesh Paul: Tasked with providing comic relief, Maniesh manages to elicit a few laughs in the first half. However, his scenes often feel shoehorned into the narrative, disrupting the film's tone rather than enhancing it.

Sunil Grover: Despite his proven comic timing and screen presence, Sunil Grover is let down by the writing. He does his best with what he's given, but the lack of support from the script means his character never truly takes off.

Shweta Tiwari and Anup Soni: Both are competent in their limited roles, but neither is given enough material to leave a lasting impression.

Technicalities

Music/Songs: With a team comprising Vishal Mishra, Amit Trivedi, Tanishk Bagchi, and Sam C. S., expectations for the soundtrack were high. The "Chhathi Maiya" song is visually appealing and works well on the big screen. "Thummak Thummak" is melodious in isolation but suffers from poor placement within the film, breaking the narrative flow.

Background Score: The background score fails to create the necessary tension for a mystery thriller. It lacks the eerie undertones required to sustain the film's mood, making key sequences fall flat.

Cinematography: Manu Anand's visuals are among the few redeeming aspects. The forest settings are captured well, adding some atmosphere to the proceedings, though even his work can't compensate for the film's larger issues.

Editing: Nitin Baid's editing is inconsistent. The film drags, especially in the second half, and abrupt tonal shifts—particularly with forced comedy—make the viewing experience jarring. The VFX is subpar, further diminishing the film's intended impact.

Positives

1. Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia's sincere efforts
2. The "Chhathi Maiya" song is visually and musically appealing
3. Manu Anand's cinematography brings some life to the forest setting
4. Maniesh Paul's comic timing in the first half

Negatives

1. Weak and uninspired story that fails to engage
2. Poorly executed screenplay with inconsistent tone
3. Overreliance on devotional themes to mask narrative flaws
4. Forced commercial elements disrupt the mystery
5. Subpar editing and VFX, especially in the second half
6. Climax is unnecessarily stretched and tedious

Analysis

The Vvaan is a classic example of a film that falters at the very foundation—its story. Unlike Deepak Kumar Mishra's earlier web series, which balanced humor and drama effectively, The Vvaan is unable to settle on a consistent tone. The premise, involving a mysterious forest and local superstitions, had potential for a gripping thriller. However, the writing is so lifeless that it never generates genuine intrigue or suspense.

The screenplay is riddled with distractions. Instead of building a tense, atmospheric mystery, the film frequently veers off into commercial territory, inserting songs and comedy sequences at the expense of narrative momentum. The use of AI to narrate a backstory feels like a gimmick rather than a creative choice, and only adds to the film's disjointed feel.

The second half is particularly problematic. As the film tries to unravel its central mystery, the pacing slows to a crawl, and the forced inclusion of comic scenes further dilutes any sense of urgency. The big twist regarding the antagonist is predictable and lacks impact, as similar themes have been explored in countless other films. The devotional angle, instead of adding depth, comes across as a superficial attempt to cover up the film's shortcomings.

Compared to other recent Hindi and Telugu thrillers that have successfully blended folklore and suspense—such as "Karthikeya" or "Tumbbad"—The Vvaan falls short on almost every front. The lack of a compelling narrative, combined with technical shortcomings, makes for a frustrating viewing experience.

Final Verdict

A Dull and Forgettable Mystery Thriller Rating – 1.75/5