While Panchayat Season 3 continues to win hearts across India, its producer, The Viral Fever (TVF), faces turbulence with its debut feature film, ‘Vvan Force of the Forest’. According to PeepingMoon.com, acclaimed director Deepak Kumar Mishra has exited the project due to creative differences with the film’s lead, Sidharth Malhotra.

Director vs. Star: A Clash of Visions
Sources reveal that tensions between Mishra and Malhotra had been simmering during pre-production. The two reportedly failed to find common ground on key creative elements, leading to an uncomfortable working environment. These unresolved issues ultimately pushed TVF to make the difficult decision to remove Mishra from the directorial role. His departure comes as a significant shake-up, especially given his long-standing association with TVF and his directorial credits, which include hit shows like Permanent Roommates, Humorously Yours, and Panchayat.

Project Delayed, New Director Hunt Underway
Originally set to begin shooting within weeks, the production of Vvan has now been delayed. Arunabh Kumar, TVF’s founder and the film’s co-director, remains on board. The team is currently scouting for Mishra’s replacement, with speculation pointing toward an award-winning editor-turned-director who recently debuted with a short film. However, no official announcement has been made.

Also Read: First Glimpse! Tamannaah Bhatia’s Look in Sidharth Malhotra’s Vvan Will Leave You Mesmerized

A Folklore Tale Rooted in Bihar’s Traditions
Described as a “Kantara-style folklore” inspired by Chhath Puja traditions of Bihar, Vvan is a co-production between TVF and Ekta Kapoor’s Balaji Motion Pictures. Initially announced in November 2024, the film has already weathered several delays, including the exit of Sara Ali Khan, who was replaced by Tamannaah Bhatia. The release has now been rescheduled from Chhath 2025 to May 15, 2026.