Bollywood actor Sidharth Malhotra is currently generating a lot of buzz for his upcoming movie The Vvaan - Force of Forest, which also features Tamannaah Bhatia in the lead role alongside him. Recently, the makers unveiled the official teaser of The Vvaan, transporting viewers into a mystical world of ancient folklore. Presented by Balaji Motion Pictures, the teaser explores a fantasy realm rarely seen on the Indian silver screen, where supernatural forces, ancient beliefs, and deep mysteries form the core of the narrative. Amidst this anticipation, the film's creators have revealed that the plot of The Vvaan draws its direct inspiration from a 16th-century shrine in Bihar known as the Vana Devi temple.
Where Did Arunabh Kumar And Deepak Mishra Find The Inspiration?
The Vvaan is directed by Deepak Mishra, acclaimed for his work on the series Panchayat, and is produced by TVF's Arunabh Kumar alongside Ekta Kapoor. The screenplay itself has been written by Arunabh Kumar. During a recent interaction, Deepak Mishra and Arunabh Kumar shared how they stumbled upon the core concept of the film and what prompted them to bring this unique folklore to life on celluloid.
A Plot Rooted In The True Story Of Vana Devi Temple
In an interview with ANI, Deepak Mishra and Arunabh Kumar shared fascinating details regarding the origins of The Vvaan. Arunabh Kumar revealed that the movie's storyline is closely linked to the genuine accounts surrounding the Vana Devi temple located near Patna. According to Arunabh, he interacted extensively with people who had visited the shrine and knew about the local legends, which progressively deepened his fascination with the site. After speaking with local priests and villagers, the core idea for the film struck him, leading both Arunabh Kumar and Deepak Mishra to seriously consider developing a feature film around it.
A Shrine Dating Back To The 16th Century
Elaborating on the history of the temple, Arunabh Kumar stated that the structure was built during the 16th century. According to the villagers and local residents, the surrounding forest harbored mysterious entities that troubled people, establishing a strict tradition where entering the woods after sunset was forbidden—a piece of folklore that remains active to this day. After discussing the matter with priests and locals, Arunabh pitched the concept to Deepak Mishra two years ago. Finding the premise immensely gripping, the duo approached Ekta Kapoor, who immediately agreed that the tale deserved a grand theatrical presentation.
Crafting The World Of The Vvaan Through Animation And VFX
Discussing the production process, director Deepak Mishra noted that translating such a complex narrative and setting into a cinematic reality was far from straightforward. Traditional shooting alone could not suffice, which is why the team relied heavily on modern technology. The entire immersive world of The Vvaan was constructed using advanced special effects and animation. For the uninitiated, The Vvaan is scheduled to hit the big screen on September 25. The star-studded cast also includes Sunil Grover, Manish Paul, Ajay Raju, and Anup Singh in prominent roles alongside Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia.
Inside The Vana Devi Temple
The Maa Vana Devi temple itself is situated on the borders of Amhara, Raghopur, and Kanchanpur villages near Bihta in the Patna district. It is regarded as an ancient and mystical Siddhapeeth believed to be between 350 and 400 years old. Located roughly 35 kilometers from the state capital Patna, the shrine is surrounded entirely by lush green and tranquil surroundings. Uniquely, the temple houses no physical idol of Goddess Durga; instead, a sacred divine पिंड (pind) is consecrated at the site. According to local traditions, lingering around the temple and its adjacent forest after dusk is strictly prohibited, and even the temple priests do not stay back once the doors are closed for the night.
