Mumbai [India], September 26: Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia’s much-awaited fantasy thriller The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest opened in cinemas on September 25 and recorded an estimated ₹8 crore net collection in India on Day 1, according to figures reported by The Times of India citing Sacnilk. The film’s India gross for the opening day was reported at around ₹9.60 crore, with the final figures subject to updates.
Directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra, the film combines Indian folklore, supernatural elements, action and mystery. It is set against the backdrop of an ancestral village in Bihar, where an urban man finds himself drawn into the mystery surrounding a forbidden forest and the supernatural forces associated with it.
The opening-day performance came from 6,746 shows across India, with the Hindi 2D version recording an overall occupancy of 28.25%, according to the TOI report. The film’s morning shows recorded 12.23% occupancy, while afternoon, evening and night shows registered 24%, 26.08% and 41.46%, respectively, indicating stronger audience turnout as the day progressed.
There were some differences in early box-office tracking figures as the film’s Day 1 numbers were being updated. Sacnilk’s earlier live data showed ₹4.91 crore net from 4,478 shows, while later reports based on updated figures placed the collection closer to ₹8 crore. Mint subsequently reported ₹7.47 crore based on live data, with the final number expected after the completion of night shows.
Sidharth Malhotra plays Rishi, a rational, city-raised man who returns to his ancestral village in Bihar with his wife Mamta, played by Tamannaah Bhatia. His original plan is to sell inherited family land, but his visit coincides with Chhath Puja and exposes him to the village’s long-standing beliefs surrounding a forest that residents are forbidden from entering after sunset.
The story takes a supernatural turn when Rishi begins confronting events that challenge his rational outlook. The film draws from local folklore and incorporates the mythology surrounding Van Devi, creating a conflict between traditional beliefs, human intervention and forces that the characters do not fully understand.
Alongside Sidharth and Tamannaah, the film features Sunil Grover, Shweta Tiwari, Anup Soni, Maniesh Paul, Avtar Gill, Milind Gunaji, Sulabha Arya and Durgesh Kumar, among others. The film is produced by Balaji Motion Pictures, TVF and 11:11 Productions.
The film’s opening has also drawn attention because of its unusual combination of folklore and supernatural storytelling. The Times of India review noted that the premise and visuals provide an interesting foundation, while also pointing to an uneven screenplay.
With the first-day collection reaching the ₹8 crore mark according to the latest TOI/Sacnilk figures, the focus now shifts to the film’s Saturday and Sunday collections. Weekend performance will provide a clearer picture of how strongly the film is connecting with audiences beyond its opening day.
For Sidharth Malhotra, The Vvaan marks another attempt to explore a different genre, while Tamannaah Bhatia returns to a prominent Hindi theatrical role. The film’s folklore-driven setting, Chhath Puja backdrop and supernatural storyline distinguish it from conventional urban Bollywood thrillers.
