In a groundbreaking move that blurs the lines between traditional cinema and graphic storytelling, the team behind the upcoming supernatural thriller Vvan: Force of the Forest took center stage at Mumbai Comic Con 2026 on Saturday, May 9. Lead stars Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia, alongside visionary producers Ekta Kapoor and Arunabh Kumar, officially unveiled the comic book titled The Legend of Vvan to a packed audience of enthusiasts and fans.
While the film industry typically adapts movies from existing graphic novels, the makers of Vvan have flipped the script. They developed the film’s intricate lore first and then expanded that universe into a standalone comic book. This “reverse-adaptation” strategy aims to give audiences a deeper understanding of the “Force of the Forest” before the film makes its high-octane debut in cinemas this August.
The launch of The Legend of Vvan marks a rare and ambitious experiment in Indian entertainment. Director Deepak Mishra (the minds behind many of TVF’s greatest hits) explained during the event that the world of Vvan was too vast to be contained within a single two-hour film.
By launching the comic book months before the movie, the production team allows fans to explore the origins of the forest’s mystical powers and the ancient legends that drive the plot. This immersive approach ensures that by the time the film releases, the audience is already emotionally invested in the mythology of the forest.
The event also honoured the artistic talent responsible for bringing this vibrant world to paper. Noted comic creators Alok Sharma and Saumin Patel joined the cast on stage to discuss the creative process.
The comic book features stunning illustrations and a narrative that serves as a prequel to the movie’s events. Sharma and Patel worked closely with the directors to ensure that the visual language of the comic perfectly matches the “eerie and majestic” tone of the film. Fans at Comic Con received an exclusive first look at the artwork, which showcases the supernatural elements and the daunting atmosphere of the titular forest.
The presence of Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia sent the Mumbai Comic Con crowd into a frenzy. Malhotra, who plays a pivotal role in the struggle against the forest’s ancient forces, spoke about the physical and mental preparation required for the role.
Tamannaah Bhatia added that the film explores “the deep-rooted connection between nature and human greed,” a theme that the comic book explores in even greater detail. The chemistry between the leads and their genuine enthusiasm for the graphic novel medium highlighted the project’s “new-age” appeal.
Vvan: Force of the Forest is a high-profile collaboration between two of India’s most influential production houses: Balaji Motion Pictures and The Viral Fever (TVF).
Produced by the trio of Ekta Kapoor, Shobha Kapoor, and Arunabh Kumar, the film represents a bridge between TVF’s character-driven storytelling and Balaji’s grand cinematic scale. With Deepak Mishra (director of Panchayat) at the helm, expectations are incredibly high for a narrative that is both intelligent and commercially viable.
The team behind Vvan: Force of the Forest is not just releasing a movie; they are building a legacy. By launching The Legend of Vvan at Mumbai Comic Con, they have invited the audience to become part of the mystery early on.
As the countdown to August 28 begins, the comic book will serve as a gateway into a world where nature fights back. Fans can now grab their copies of the graphic novel and prepare themselves for the supernatural storm that is about to hit the big screen.
