‘They did Panchayat, that’s enough for me’: Sidharth Malhotra on working with TVF for The Vvan
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Gayatri Nirmal
Sidharth Malhotra announced his collaboration with TVF’s team for the film 'The Vvaan – Force of Forrest'. The actor cited the success of the acclaimed series 'Panchayat' as a primary motivator for joining the project.
The Vvaan – Force of Forrest: A High-Stakes Cinematic Collaboration
On Wednesday, September 16, the cinematic landscape saw a significant development as the trailer for The Vvaan – Force of Forrest was unveiled at a multiplex in Mumbai. The event brought together key industry figures, including stars Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia, alongside producer Ektaa Kapoor and the creative minds behind The Viral Fever (TVF), specifically Arunabh Kumar and director Deepak Kumar Mishra. This collaboration marks a notable intersection between mainstream Bollywood talent and the grounded, critically acclaimed storytelling style that has come to define TVF’s brand.
The 'Panchayat' Factor
At the heart of the excitement surrounding the film is the involvement of director Deepak Kumar Mishra and producer Arunabh Kumar. Their previous work, the digital series Panchayat, has been widely credited with shifting the paradigm of Indian web content toward rural, character-driven narratives that resonate across diverse demographics. For an established star like Sidharth Malhotra, aligning with this creative team represents a strategic pivot toward content that balances star power with authentic, narrative-focused filmmaking.
A Testament to Creative Credibility
During the trailer launch, Sidharth Malhotra provided insight into his decision-making process, stating, “Aapne Panchayat ki hai, vohi kaafi tha mere liye” (You made Panchayat, and that was enough for me to come on board for this film). This statement underscores the immense cultural capital that the Panchayat brand now holds within the film industry. It highlights a trend where film actors are increasingly looking to leverage the established credibility of digital-first creators to anchor their projects in a more relatable, grounded reality.
Exploring New Dimensions
Sidharth Malhotra further teased the audience by noting that the film showcases a "naya roop" (new form) of the directors on the big screen. This suggests that while the team is known for their work in the episodic web format, The Vvaan – Force of Forrest is intended to be a cinematic evolution of their signature style. By moving from the small screen to the expansive canvas of a feature film, the team is attempting to retain the intimate storytelling of their previous hits while scaling up for a theatrical experience.
Future Implications for Indian Cinema
This partnership signals a broader shift in the Indian entertainment industry, where the lines between OTT creators and traditional film producers are blurring. As audiences continue to demand high-quality, nuanced storytelling, the influence of directors like Deepak Kumar Mishra becomes a premium asset for major stars. The success of this film will likely serve as a litmus test for whether the 'Panchayat' style of storytelling can effectively translate into a high-octane or large-scale cinematic format, potentially paving the way for more such cross-pollination in the future.