{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "The Vvan Review (2026): Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia Starrer Sparks Divided Audience Reactions",
  "summary": "Deepak Kumar Mishra directorial 'The Vvan' arrives on the big screen, leaving moviegoers split between praising its folklore roots and criticizing its sluggish pacing.",
  "content": "Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia headline the new mystery folklore thriller as The Vvan review (2026) kicks off across theatres today. Arriving on big screens this September 25, the atmospheric feature has instantly polarized cinema lovers stepping out of opening-day auditoriums. While one section of filmgoers praises its deep grounding in Bihar folk traditions and supernatural superstition, another vocal group has dismissed the narrative as sluggish, underwhelming, and flat.\n\nChhath Song Set the Stage Ahead of Theatrical Release\nPrior to its theatrical debut, the promotional campaign scored an undeniable digital triumph through tactical cultural marketing. The production team dropped a dedicated Chhath celebration track merely days before release, striking an emotional chord with family audiences across the Purvanchal heartland. The song turned into an immediate viral phenomenon across digital networks, quickly crossing over 47 million views on YouTube. That grassroots musical sensation built immense pre-release buzz, ensuring healthy footfalls for the morning screenings despite minimal formal advance critical reviews.\n\n \n\nDeepak Kumar Mishra Blends Regional Folklore with Supernatural Thrills\nHelmed by director Deepak Kumar Mishra, the cinematic canvas sets its roots deep in the cultural ethos of eastern India. The narrative weaves an intricate tapestry centered on family bonds, deep religious faith, and dark secrets lurking in remote wilderness tied to ancient Van Devi lore. Many appreciative viewers highlighted that mainstream Hindi cinema rarely ventures into regional mythology with this level of authentic folklore immersion.\n\nWeighing in on the narrative approach, Amit Bhatia praised the project on social media, noting that the feature presents a fresh, intriguing folklore-fantasy where the story is the real hero. He commended how the production combined suspense, supernatural chills, humor, and ancient beliefs into an unseen realm, giving audiences a break from formulaic Bollywood thrillers.\n\nSunil Grover Wins Acclaim Amid Sharp Criticism of Slow Pacing\nThe ensemble performances have also drawn considerable audience commentary, with Sunil Grover capturing attention for his commanding work during the narrative's second half. Maniesh Paul also earned nod for delivering timely comedic relief throughout the runtime. However, several moviegoers found the execution painfully draggy and deficient in genuine scares. Criticizing the sluggish atmosphere, viewer Anmol Jamwal noted that watching the film felt like watching paint dry slowly.\n\nDetractors argue that the mystery loses its grip inside the woods, rendering the horror elements toothless and the drama hollow. While formal opinions from veteran trade critics continue to trickle in gradually, early audience reception remains sharply polarized between those who cherish authentic rural fantasy and those disappointed by its uneven storytelling.\n\n \n\nWhat this means for you\nThe opening-day audience reception offers clear guidance for moviegoers considering buying tickets for this weekend.\n\n• For Folklore Enthusiasts: Viewers drawn to authentic regional mythology and rural traditions will likely appreciate the unique thematic setting. However, those expecting high-octane suspense may find the slow pacing disappointing.\n• For Family Audiences: The strong integration of Chhath traditions and devotional themes makes it an intriguing option for family viewing. Waiting for broader critical consensus before booking could prevent a mixed experience.\n• For Music Lovers: The promotional Chhath track already accumulated over 47 million YouTube streams. Enthusiasts of cultural folk melodies will find value in how eastern traditions are highlighted.\n• For Cast Fans: Fans of Sidharth Malhotra, Tamannaah Bhatia, and Sunil Grover will find key highlights in their individual screen time. Grover's performance in the second half in particular has received strong early acclaim.\n\nWhy this happened\nThe polarized reception on opening day stems directly from creative storytelling choices and strategic promotional dynamics.\n\n• Unconventional Cultural Setting: Hindi cinema rarely explores eastern Indian mythology and Van Devi legends. While this original rural folklore attracted curiosity, its unconventional tone did not appeal universally.\n• Viral Pre-Release Musical Campaign: The Chhath song accumulated over 47 million YouTube views prior to theatrical release. That widespread viral success set sky-high narrative expectations among ticket buyers.\n• Sluggish Pacing and Shifting Tones: Attempting to merge supernatural horror with domestic drama and faith resulted in an uneven tempo. Audiences anticipating edge-of-the-seat thriller thrills felt the narrative stalled inside the woods.\n• Disparate Ensemble Dynamics: While Sunil Grover earned praise for the second half and Maniesh Paul delivered humor, the core horror element felt underwhelming to critics seeking genuine chills.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Is The Vvan worth watching?\nIt is worth a watch if you appreciate regional Indian folklore and cultural traditions, though fans of fast-paced horror may find its slow tempo disappointing.\n\n2. What is the plot of The Vvan about?\nThe film explores supernatural mystery, family drama, and regional faith centered on Bihar's Chhath rituals and Van Devi forest legends.\n\n3. Who directed The Vvan and who stars in it?\nThe movie is directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra and stars Sidharth Malhotra, Tamannaah Bhatia, Sunil Grover, and Maniesh Paul.\n\n4. How many YouTube views did the Chhath promotional song receive?\nThe promotional Chhath track achieved over 47 million views on YouTube prior to the film's theatrical release.\n\n5. Which movies are like The Vvan?\nViewers who appreciate folklore-driven supernatural thrillers rooted in rural beliefs like Kantara and Tumbbad will find similar thematic elements here.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/entertainment/the-vvan-rivyu-2026-astha-saspensa-aura-lokakathaon-ke-bicha-sinemagharon-men-darshakon-ki-bnti-raya-38329",
  "category": "Entertainment",
  "publishedAt": "2026-09-25",
  "tags": [
    "The Vvan Review",
    "Sidharth Malhotra",
    "Tamannaah Bhatia",
    "Deepak Kumar Mishra",
    "Sunil Grover",
    "Chhath Song",
    "Bollywood Horror"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}