The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia, has received a noticeable response from audiences in Bihar. The film released in theatres on September 25, 2026, and Bihar, especially Patna, has emerged as an important market for the movie.
The film’s connection with Bihar, Chhath Puja and local folklore appears to have helped it attract attention in the Hindi heartland. The story also draws inspiration from the folklore surrounding the Maa Van Devi Temple in Bihta, Bihar.
The Vvaan Gets Strong Response From Bihar
Before its theatrical release, The Vvaan showed strong advance-booking activity in Bihar and Patna. Trade reports noted that Bihar and Patna recorded particularly strong ticket sales compared with several other markets.
The film’s Chhath Puja backdrop has been highlighted as one possible reason for this regional interest. The timing also gives the movie a cultural connection with audiences who are familiar with Bihar’s traditions and folklore.
The opening-day numbers also reflected Bihar’s contribution.
According to Pinkvilla, The Vvaan collected around ₹7–7.25 crore net in India on Day 1, with Bihar contributing approximately ₹1 crore net. The report also identified Patna as one of the film’s strongest centres.
Why Does The Vvaan Connect With Bihar?
The biggest reason is the film’s setting and cultural theme.
Unlike a typical urban Bollywood story, The Vvaan uses a rural Bihar setting, local beliefs and a supernatural story linked to a sacred forest.
Sidharth Malhotra plays Rishi, a man who returns to his ancestral village. He initially does not believe the local stories about the forest and the deity associated with it.
However, after entering the forest after sunset, he encounters events that challenge his understanding of the beliefs he previously dismissed.
The film therefore combines Bihar folklore, mythology, fantasy, supernatural elements and family drama.
Chhath Puja Plays an Important Role
Chhath Puja is one of the strongest cultural elements associated with The Vvaan.
The film’s promotional campaign also focused heavily on the festival. Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia visited Patna before the release and participated in Chhath-related traditions during the film’s promotion.
The film also features the “Chhathi Maiya” song, which brings the festival into the movie’s visual and musical world.
However, the film’s representation has also generated discussion. India Today spoke to people from Bihar and Jharkhand who felt that the song captures the devotional mood of Chhath but takes some cinematic liberties with traditional rituals.
That distinction is important. The Vvaan uses Chhath as part of a mainstream cinematic narrative rather than presenting itself as a documentary representation of the festival.
The Maa Van Devi Temple Connection
Another major connection between The Vvaan and Bihar comes from Maa Van Devi Temple in Bihta, near Patna.
Reports say the film draws inspiration from local stories associated with the temple and its surrounding forest.
Local folklore describes a long-standing tradition of avoiding the forest after sunset. According to local beliefs, the area has a sacred connection with Van Devi.
There is no evidence establishing supernatural activity at the location. The after-sunset restriction is better understood as part of the local tradition and folklore surrounding the shrine.
These stories reportedly caught the attention of writer Arunabh Kumar and eventually became the foundation for the film’s concept.
The Vvaan Box Office: Bihar Makes Its Presence Felt
The film opened to around ₹8 crore net in India on Day 1, according to Times of India and Hindustan Times reports based on box-office tracking. Different trackers have published slightly different figures, so the exact number can vary by source.
On Saturday, the film recorded a significant jump.
According to NDTV, The Vvaan earned around ₹11 crore net on Day 2, taking its two-day India net total to approximately ₹19 crore.
The growth from Friday to Saturday indicates that the film attracted more viewers during its second day.
Bihar has been one of the markets contributing strongly to the film’s early performance.
Patna Emerges as an Important Market
Patna has received particular attention in the film’s box-office reports.
Advance booking reports described Patna as a strong-performing centre, while the film’s opening-day reports also placed the city among its leading markets.
This matters because the film has a strong regional connection.
The story does not simply use Bihar as a location. It builds elements of Bihar’s folklore and cultural traditions into the central narrative.
That can give audiences familiar with the region a different viewing experience compared with viewers who encounter these traditions for the first time.
Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia Promote the Film in Bihar
The lead actors also spent time in Bihar during the promotional campaign.
Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia visited Patna and participated in cultural activities connected with Chhath. The team also met Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary.
The film team said they were grateful for the warmth and response received from Bihar and its people.
The promotional strategy helped bring the film closer to the culture that forms an important part of its story.
What Is The Vvaan About?
The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest follows Rishi, played by Sidharth Malhotra, who returns to his ancestral village.
The village has strong beliefs surrounding a sacred forest. Locals avoid entering the forest after sunset because of their belief in the divine presence connected with it.
Rishi initially looks at these beliefs from a rational perspective.
His decision to enter the forest after sunset changes the direction of the story.
The film then moves into a supernatural world involving folklore, mythology, mystery and danger. Tamannaah Bhatia plays Mamta, while the supporting cast includes Sunil Grover, Anup Soni, Shweta Tiwari and Maniesh Paul.
Audience Response Is Not Entirely Uniform
While Bihar has shown strong interest, the overall response to The Vvaan has been mixed.
Some viewers have appreciated the film’s attempt to bring Indian folklore and regional culture into a mainstream fantasy story. Critics, however, have raised concerns about the film’s storytelling and execution.
For example, Hindustan Times described the film as beginning with promise but becoming muddled later in the story.
Therefore, Bihar’s strong response should not be treated as a reflection of every viewer’s opinion across India.
Why Bihar Could Remain Important for The Vvaan
The film has a limited window before another major Hindi release enters the market, which could affect its theatrical run.
At the same time, the strong regional connection gives The Vvaan an audience base that is particularly relevant to its story.
The combination of Bihar folklore + Chhath Puja + supernatural elements + Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia has created a distinct identity for the movie.
If the film continues to maintain audience interest through the weekend, Bihar and other Hindi-heartland markets could remain important contributors to its theatrical performance.
The Vvaan Bihar Response: Key Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Film | The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest |
| Release Date | September 25, 2026 |
| Lead Actors | Sidharth Malhotra, Tamannaah Bhatia |
| Genre | Fantasy / Folklore / Supernatural |
| Bihar Connection | Chhath Puja and local folklore |
| Key Location Inspiration | Maa Van Devi Temple, Bihta |
| Day 1 India Net | Around ₹7–8 crore, depending on tracker |
| Bihar Day 1 | Around ₹1 crore reported by Pinkvilla |
| Day 2 India Net | Around ₹11 crore |
| 2-Day India Net | Around ₹19 crore |
FAQs
Why is The Vvaan getting a strong response in Bihar?
The film has a direct cultural connection with Bihar through its setting, folklore and Chhath Puja theme. Advance-booking and early box-office reports have shown strong interest from Bihar and Patna.
Is The Vvaan based on a real story?
The film draws inspiration from local folklore associated with Maa Van Devi Temple in Bihta, Bihar. It is a fictional fantasy story rather than a documented real-life account.
What is the Chhath Puja connection in The Vvaan?
Chhath Puja forms part of the film’s cultural backdrop and promotional campaign. The movie also features the song “Chhathi Maiya,” which brings the festival into the film’s narrative world.
How much did The Vvaan earn in two days?
NDTV reported around ₹11 crore net on Day 2, taking the film to approximately ₹19 crore net in India after two days.
Who stars in The Vvaan?
The film stars Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia, with Sunil Grover, Anup Soni, Shweta Tiwari and Maniesh Paul in supporting roles.
Conclusion
The Vvaan has found an important audience connection in Bihar, particularly in Patna. Its use of Chhath Puja, Bihar folklore and the mysterious Van Devi tradition gives the film a regional identity that separates it from many conventional Bollywood releases.
The early box-office numbers show that Bihar has contributed strongly to the film’s opening. The bigger question now is whether the movie can maintain this momentum after its opening weekend.
For The Vvaan, Bihar is more than just another box-office market. The region’s culture and folklore are closely connected to the world created by the film.
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