Sidharth Malhotra Bets on a Fresh Narrative with ‘Vvaan’, Bringing Indian Folklore to the Big Screen!
While he could easily stick to the tried-and-tested action-hero formula, Sidharth Malhotra is opting to venture into cinematic territory rarely explored by mainstream Hindi film industry at such a grand scale. Leading Vvaan, an ambitious folklore fantasy, the actor is bringing together ancient Indian mythologies, supernatural intrigue, adventure, and a massive theatrical experience.
And that choice feels consistent with the actor’s career. Sidharth has repeatedly spoken about his desire to avoid getting boxed into one kind of role. In an interview, he said, “I have always tried to do different genres and entertain my audience with interesting films.” He added that, as an actor, he finds it important to keep experimenting rather than simply filling his calendar with films.
His filmography bears that out. After making his debut with Student of the Year, he moved into the unconventional romantic comedy Hasee Toh Phasee, followed it with the dark, revenge-driven Ek Villain, explored the critically acclaimed family drama Kapoor & Sons, attempted the time-bending romance Baar Baar Dekho, took on the spy thriller Mission Majnu and then delivered one of his career-defining performances in the war biopic Shershaah. Even within action, he has deliberately looked for different worlds, from Mission Majnu’s espionage backdrop to Yodha’s hijack thriller.
In fact, Sidharth has previously described this instinct as wanting to “surprise the audience with roles that I haven’t done before.”
That makes Vvaan an especially interesting bet. This isn’t simply another action film with a different setting. The film is attempting to build an original folklore world around Indian beliefs, supernatural forces, mythology and a forbidden forest, while presenting it as a mainstream theatrical entertainer.
For Sidharth, then, the risk isn’t just taking on a new character. It is choosing to lead a Hindi commercial film in a genre that doesn’t come with an established formula.
And perhaps that is exactly why Vvaan fits the actor’s long-running instinct to keep moving rather than repeat himself. As he once said, “Every film is challenging and about reinventing myself.”
With Vvaan, that reinvention takes him somewhere Bollywood rarely goes, into Indian folklore, but with the ambition of a full-scale mainstream spectacle and aren’t we seated!
Backed by some of the country’s most distinctive storytellers, The Vvaan brings together TVF’s Arunabh Kumar, director Deepak Mishra and Ektaa Kapoor for a commercial film that attempts to take Indian folklore into a new cinematic space. While its world is rooted in folklore and fantasy, the film brings together adventure, mystery and humour to shape itself as a complete family entertainer. The ambition extends beyond the film, with The Legend of Vvaan comic book already introducing audiences to the larger folklore surrounding its universe.
Presented by Balaji Motion Pictures, a division of Balaji Telefilms Ltd, in association with TVF and 11.11 Production, The Vvaan stars Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia. Written by Arunabh Kumar and directed by Deepak Mishra, with Manu Anand as DOP and Visual Director, the film is produced by Shobha Kapoor, Ektaa R Kapoor, Arunabh Kumar and Niraj Kothari.
The Vvaan arrives in cinemas on September 25, 2026, promising a big-screen fantasy folklore experience where the visuals, music, mystery and scale come together to create a world audiences will want to step into.
By Keerti Kadam