Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia starrer The Vvaan has received a distinctive response from audiences in Bihar, with some screenings taking on a devotional atmosphere because of the film's portrayal of Chhath Puja.
At a cinema hall in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, moviegoers were reportedly seen removing their footwear before entering the auditorium to watch The Vvaan. Women dressed in traditional attire were also seen distributing freshly prepared thekua among viewers. Videos showing these moments have circulated on social media and attracted attention from audiences beyond the state.
The scenes are connected to the film's depiction of Chhath Puja, one of the major festivals associated with Bihar and also widely observed in parts of Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh. The Vvaan incorporates the festival into its storyline and uses Chhath related rituals and music as an important part of its cultural setting.
The Muzaffarpur incident reportedly took place at Cine Galaxy, a cinema hall where viewers were seen leaving their footwear outside before entering the screening area. According to reports, the gesture reflected the devotional significance that some viewers attached to the film's Chhath sequences.
Women wearing traditional Chhath attire were also seen distributing thekua inside the venue. Thekua is a traditional sweet associated with Chhath Puja and is commonly prepared as a prasad during the festival. The distribution of thekua during the screening added a festive element to the cinema experience.
Reports have also mentioned women applying sindoor to fellow moviegoers during the gathering. These activities have contributed to the unusual scenes being recorded inside and around the theatre and subsequently shared on social media.
The cultural response appears to be closely connected to the way The Vvaan presents Chhath traditions. The film includes a sequence featuring Tamannaah Bhatia's character participating in Chhath Puja. The sequence has drawn emotional reactions from some viewers who said that the rituals and visual presentation reminded them of their own family traditions and memories.
Another notable element of the film is its devotional song Chhathi Maiya. The song is connected to the Chhath festival and features Tamannaah Bhatia in a sequence portraying the religious and cultural traditions associated with the celebration.
The film's use of Chhath related music has also attracted attention because of the involvement of the late singer Sharda Sinha, whose voice has a strong association with the festival among audiences in Bihar. Reports have highlighted the emotional response to her voice in the film's Chhath sequence.
The Vvaan was released in theatres on September 25, 2026. Directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra, the film stars Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia in the lead roles. The cast also includes Shweta Tiwari, Sunil Grover and Anup Soni.
The film combines folklore, fantasy, supernatural elements and regional cultural traditions. Its story is rooted in a setting influenced by Bihar and its traditions, with Chhath Puja forming an important cultural component of the narrative.
Before the film's theatrical release, Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia had also participated in Chhath related activities during their promotional visit to Bihar. The actors visited temples around Patna and participated in a Kosi Bharna ceremony as part of the film's promotional activities.
The connection with Bihar has also been reflected in the film's early box-office performance. Reports published after its release indicated that Bihar was among the stronger markets for the film during its opening period. Pinkvilla reported that the movie recorded particularly strong business in Bihar on its opening day, while Box Office India reported that the film benefited from its Chhath theme in Bihar, eastern circuits and parts of Uttar Pradesh.
The film's overall theatrical performance has also received attention. The Indian Express reported that The Vvaan had crossed Rs 50 crore in worldwide gross collections after four days, based on the figures cited in its report. Earlier reports had also noted a strong opening weekend for the film.
However, the most unusual aspect of the film's reception has been the cultural response rather than the box-office numbers. The scenes from Muzaffarpur show how a cinematic portrayal of a familiar religious tradition can create a strong connection with local audiences.
For many people in Bihar and neighbouring regions, Chhath Puja is closely associated with family traditions, community participation, devotion and memories of home. The film's presentation of the festival appears to have resonated with some viewers for these reasons.
Social media videos showing viewers removing their footwear before entering the theatre and women distributing thekua have further amplified the response. These videos have been shared widely and have brought attention to the film's regional and cultural appeal.
The response also demonstrates the role that regional traditions can play in mainstream Hindi cinema. Rather than using Chhath only as a background element, The Vvaan places the festival within its larger folklore and supernatural narrative.
Tamannaah Bhatia's portrayal during the Chhath sequence has received particular attention from viewers. Social media reactions cited by India Today included comments praising the visual presentation of the festival and the emotional impact of the sequence.
The film's treatment of Chhath has therefore become one of the most discussed aspects of its theatrical run. The scenes from Bihar theatres provide a notable example of audiences responding to cultural elements represented on screen.
At the same time, the reported theatre celebrations should be understood as the actions of individual audiences at particular screenings and should not be interpreted as representing every viewer or cinema hall in Bihar.
The Vvaan continues its theatrical run, with its portrayal of Bihar, Chhath Puja and local folklore remaining a major point of discussion among audiences and entertainment observers.
The unusual scenes in Muzaffarpur, including the distribution of thekua and viewers removing footwear before the screening, have given the film a cultural dimension beyond its storyline and box-office performance. The response demonstrates the emotional connection that some audiences have developed with the film's depiction of a festival that holds deep significance in Bihar and other parts of northern India.
