Sidharth Malhotra wishes Ekta Kapoor on birthday ahead of Vvan release
Synopsis
Sidharth Malhotra's birthday post for Ekta Kapoor was more than a social media gesture — it doubled as a reminder that their folklore thriller Vvan arrives on 28 August 2026, a Raksha Bandhan slot that could define the film's commercial fate. With Balaji Motion Pictures and TVF co-producing, the project is one of the more unusual big-screen bets of the year.
Key Takeaways
Sidharth Malhotra wished producer Ekta Kapoor on her birthday via an Instagram Story on 7 June 2026 .
The post featured a photo from the Mumbai Comic Con 2026 launch of The Legend of Vvan comic book.
Their film Vvan – Force of the Forrest , a folklore thriller also starring Tamannaah Bhatia , is now set to release on 28 August 2026 for Raksha Bandhan .
The release date was shifted from the original 15 May 2026 date.
The film is co-produced by Balaji Motion Pictures and The Viral Fever (TVF) .
Actor Sidharth Malhotra took to his Instagram Stories on Sunday, 7 June to send a warm birthday wish to producer Ekta Kapoor, sharing a photo of the two together and adding a playful nod to their upcoming collaboration. The gesture comes just weeks before their joint project, the folk thriller Vvan, is set to hit cinemas.
The Birthday Post
In his Instagram Story, Sidharth posted a candid image of himself and Ekta smiling as they posed together, both holding the comic book 'Vvan.' The caption read: 'Happy Birthday, @Ektakapoor! Wishing you a Vvan-derful year ahead. Big love and hug.' The photograph appears to have been taken at the launch of The Legend of Vvan comic book during Mumbai Comic Con 2026.
About the Film Vvan
Vvan – Force of the Forrest is a folklore-inspired thriller set in the forests of Central India, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia. The film was originally scheduled to release on 15 May 2026 but has since been moved to 28 August 2026, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan. The makers confirmed the new date with a poster caption that read: 'Ektaa R Kapoor-TVF join forces: Sidharth Malhotra-Tamannaah Bhatia starrer Vvan release date locked. 28 Aug 2026 [#RakshaBandhan] is the release date of #Vvan, a folklore-driven thriller.'
Production and Backing
The project is being produced under Balaji Motion Pictures, a division of Balaji Telefilms Ltd, in association with The Viral Fever (TVF) — marking a notable convergence of mainstream Bollywood production and digital-first storytelling. Ekta Kapoor's involvement as producer underscores Balaji's continued push into theatrical releases.
Sidharth's Recent Work
Sidharth was last seen in Param Sundari, directed by Tushar Jalota and produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films, alongside Janhvi Kapoor. With Vvan arriving on a high-footfall holiday weekend, the actor is banking on a strong festive opening. All eyes are now on whether the folklore genre can find mainstream box-office traction this Raksha Bandhan.
Point of View
But the Vvan campaign is worth watching more closely. The date shift from May to Raksha Bandhan signals the makers' confidence — or at least ambition — in competing for a premium holiday slot. The Balaji-TVF pairing is genuinely unconventional: one brand built on mass television drama, the other on millennial digital content. Whether that combination translates to theatrical footfalls for a folklore thriller remains the real question, and the birthday post, however warm, does nothing to answer it.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Sidharth Malhotra post a birthday wish for Ekta Kapoor?
Sidharth Malhotra shared a birthday wish for producer Ekta Kapoor on her birthday on 7 June via an Instagram Story, posting a photo of the two at Mumbai Comic Con 2026. The caption included a playful reference to their upcoming film Vvan.
What is the film Vvan about?
Vvan – Force of the Forrest is a folklore-inspired thriller set in the forests of Central India, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia. It is co-produced by Balaji Motion Pictures and The Viral Fever (TVF).
When is Vvan releasing in cinemas?
Vvan is scheduled to release on 28 August 2026, coinciding with Raksha Bandhan. The film was originally slated for a 15 May 2026 release before the date was pushed back.
Who is producing Vvan?
The film is produced under Balaji Motion Pictures, a division of Balaji Telefilms Ltd, in association with The Viral Fever (TVF), with Ekta Kapoor as a key producing force.
What was Sidharth Malhotra's last film?
Sidharth Malhotra was last seen in Param Sundari, directed by Tushar Jalota and produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films, co-starring Janhvi Kapoor.
