The Vvaan's Chhath scenes are winning Bihari hearts. Here's what feels so real

The Vvaan: Force of the Forrest has received mixed reactions since its release, but one aspect of the film appears to have struck a strong emotional chord with audiences - its portrayal of Chhath Puja. From the festive visuals and rituals to the inclusion of a beloved song by late folk singer Sharda Sinha, the Chhath sequences have left several viewers emotional.Starring Sidharth Malhotra, Tamannaah Bhatia, Shweta Tiwari, Sunil Grover and Anup Soni, the film released in cinemas on September 25. Directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra, The Vvaan brings the festival to the big screen in a Bollywood film, giving audiences a cinematic glimpse into a celebration that holds deep cultural significance in Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh.For many viewers from these regions, Chhath is more than a festival. It is closely tied to family, faith, memories and a sense of home. The film's Chhath sequence appears to have tapped into precisely that emotion.‘Feels like home’: Why the Chhath sequence is resonatingSeveral viewers praised the way the festival has been presented in the film on social media. One viewer described the sequence as visually beautiful, writing, “Chhath sequence big screen pe genuinely beautiful lagta hai. Colours, music aur emotion sab ek saath hit karte hain.” Another viewer felt the film could have explored Bihar's culture in greater detail, particularly Chhath, but still praised the treatment of the festival.2/2For someone who has grown up seeing Chhath so closely, every little detail hits differently.It doesn’t feel like a festival being shown for the sake of a film. It feels lived-in. It feels real. It feels like home. pic.twitter.com/VT41sCNcBF— Mafiya Singh (@Mafiya_Singh11) September 25, 2026The emotional response was particularly evident in a video shared by a viewer showing a little girl watching the Chhath sequence in a theatre with her hands folded in prayer.“Moments like this prove that roots and faith start early,” the viewer wrote, describing the sight of the girl praying during the song as “absolutely heartwarming”.For those who have grown up celebrating Chhath, the sequence has evoked memories of their own experiences of the festival.One viewer described the Chhath song as a “goose-bump moment”, saying it brought back memories of Chhath mornings, ghats, prayers and family traditions.“For someone who has grown up seeing Chhath so closely, every little detail hits differently. It doesn’t feel like a festival being shown for the sake of a film. It feels lived-in. It feels real. It feels like home,” the viewer wrote.Sharda Sinha’s voice adds another layerA major reason for the emotional response is the inclusion of one of Sharda Sinha's much-loved Chhath songs, Pahile Pahil Hum Kayin.Sharda Sinha's music has been closely associated with Chhath celebrations for generations. Her songs have become part of the soundscape of the festival, particularly in Bihar and among communities living away from home.The Vvaan uses her song during a sequence featuring Shweta Tiwari and Anup Soni as they prepare for the festive celebrations. The choice has been praised by viewers, who felt that hearing Sinha's voice in a cinema hall made the scene even more personal.One viewer wrote, “Sharada Sinha ji ka Chhath geet cinema hall mein sunna hi apne aap mein ek alag feeling thi, #THEVVAAN ne goosebumps de diye.”The inclusion also comes after some social media users had earlier wondered whether the film's Chhath song could have been recorded in Bhojpuri. The makers, however, had kept the Sharda Sinha track as a surprise for audiences watching the film.Tamannaah Bhatia's Chhath look gets praiseThe sequence has also brought attention to Tamannaah Bhatia's appearance during the festival.One viewer praised her performance and look, writing, “The whole movie was a 10/10, but Tamannaah in the Chhath Puja song was an 11/10.”Another viewer summed up the response to the film's treatment of the festival by writing, “@SidMalhotra & @tamannaahspeaks You have won Bihar for life. #TheVvaan #Chhath #ChhathPuja It’s personal for us.”The reactions underline why the sequence has worked for many viewers. Rather than simply using Chhath as a visual backdrop, the film has incorporated familiar rituals, music and imagery that are deeply connected to the lived experiences of people from the region.Why Chhath matters beyond the filmChhath is a four-day festival celebrated with rituals centred around the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya. Families come together for preparations, fasting and offerings, with devotees gathering at rivers, ponds and other water bodies for the evening and morning arghya.The festival is particularly significant in Bihar, Jharkhand and parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, while its traditions have travelled with communities across India and abroad.For generations, Sharda Sinha's Chhath songs have been an integral part of these celebrations. Her music often plays in homes and near ghats as families prepare for the rituals.That cultural memory appears to be what audiences are responding to in The Vvaan. For some viewers, the combination of familiar rituals, the festival's colours and the unmistakable voice of Sharda Sinha has transformed a sequence in a fantasy film into something deeply personal.While reactions to the film as a whole have been mixed, the Chhath portions have emerged as one of its most discussed elements online, particularly among viewers who see the festival not merely as a cinematic spectacle, but as a part of their identity and childhood memories.- Ends