The Vvaan opens in theatres today, and the first wave of reviews is already split — some calling it a visually bold folklore fantasy, others dismissing it as a mythological mess with a side of questionable choices. The film, starring Sidharth Malhotra as a man caught between tradition and terror in a forest haunted by a goddess, arrives with a title that’s already sparked debate: why ‘Vvaan’ instead of ‘Van’? Wogma’s Priyanka Gupta notes the spelling feels like an attempt to avoid pronunciation pitfalls, but ends up raising more questions than answers. The tagline’s use of ‘forrest’ with two Rs only adds to the confusion. It’s not just the name, it’s the entire tone. The movie leans into mythology with a heavy hand, yet refuses to take itself seriously. One reviewer calls it a film that doesn’t want to be taken seriously, and that lack of commitment shows in every frame. The horror elements falter under weak direction from Deepak Kumar Mishra, who fails to build dread even when the villain looms. The background score, while praised for its eerie atmosphere and strong use of devotional chants like Aigiri Nandini and Shiva Tandav Strota, does little to elevate tension. Instead, it’s the item number. Gratuitous, out of place, that sticks in the mind. And yes, there’s body-shaming humour. And comic relief that lands like a punchline without setup. The characters are flat, their motivations told rather than shown. Even the actors. Malhotra, Tamannaah Bhatia, Sulabha Arya, Maniesh Paul, are said to be doing what they’ve always done: playing versions of themselves. The film’s biggest missed opportunity? Its potential to speak to real-world issues. Like environmental protection through ancestral wisdom. That message was ignored, or worse, sidelined. Yet, some still find value. DNA’s Simran Singh calls it an enjoyable ride with a vision. MiD DAY praises its Indian soul. Koimoi’s Trisha Gaur hails the music as brilliant, especially the way the score lifts the spiritual moments. But those positives aren’t enough to outweigh the flaws. Wogma’s verdict is blunt: if the makers had chosen to make a decent film instead of chasing commercial tropes, we might have something worth remembering. As it stands, The Vvaan is a film that’s hard to take seriously, and harder to recommend. So, do you go for the visuals, the music, or the myth? Or just stay home and watch someone else’s reels during the show?