Sidharth-Tamannaah Starrer Fails to Blend Mythological Mystery with Cinematic Magic
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Blending Indian folk mythology, regional devotion, and supernatural forest mysteries offered a promising premise for The One: Force of the Forest, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia. Directed by Deepak Kumar Mishra—celebrated for helming the beloved web series Panchayat—and produced jointly by Balaji Motion Pictures and TVF, the theatrical release carried towering expectations. However, despite an intriguing core concept rooted in the glory of Chhathi Maiya and the legends of a protective forest deity, the film struggles under a convoluted screenplay and disjointed direction, ultimately feeling more like an overstretched television daily soap than a gripping cinematic thriller.
Plot Summary: Development vs. Faith in Devanchal
The narrative follows Rishi (Sidharth Malhotra), a rationalist living in Mumbai with his expecting wife Mamta (Tamannaah Bhatia). When his elder brother (Anup Soni) summons him back to their native village, Devanchal, to resolve a property dispute involving land slated for a road development project through the sacred Van Devi forest, Rishi reluctantly agrees. Accompanied by his friend V.P. (Manish Paul) and opposed by local antagonists like Deepak (Sunil Grover) and his sister-in-law Sushila (Shweta Tiwari), Rishi scoffs at local traditions warning against entering the forbidden jungle at night. As the clash between modern development and deep-rooted faith escalates, Rishi ventures into the forest, entangling the plot in a chaotic web of dual divine mysteries.
Direction and Execution: Where the Film Fumbles
While Deepak Kumar Mishra previously demonstrated exceptional command over rural narratives in Panchayat, his transition to feature films falters due to an overcrowded script:
Overburdened Narrative: The film attempts to juggle too many disparate elements simultaneously—a corporate land dispute, family politics, a lighthearted comedy track, the folklore of Van Devi, and the spiritual sanctity of Chhathi Maiya.
Tangled Screenplay: Rather than complementing one another, the twin focal points of the forest mystery and the Chhathi festival clash awkwardly, leaving viewers confused and eroding the impact of the climax.
Daily Soap Aesthetic: Poor scene transitions, unnecessary songs, and melodramatic pacing make the three-hour runtime feel sluggish, frequently evoking the look and feel of a televised serial rather than a big-screen fantasy spectacle.
Performance Analysis: Cast Efforts and Character Limitations
The ensemble cast delivers mixed performances constrained by uneven character arcs:
Sidharth Malhotra and Tamannaah Bhatia: Sidharth looks the part of a city slicker but struggles during heavy emotional sequences, though his action beats and chemistry with Tamannaah work well. Tamannaah handles her dramatic scenes with poise, but her character is underutilized beyond observing the Chhath rituals.
Supporting Cast Highlights: Manish Paul injects intermittent energy with his trademark comic timing, though repetitive gags wear thin. Sunil Grover plays the antagonist with modest flair but lacks genuine menace, while Anup Soni and Shweta Tiwari deliver solid, serious performances despite limited screen time.
Final Verdict: Should You Watch It?
The One: Force of the Forest deserves credit for attempting an original story rooted in indigenous folklore and regional traditions. However, without a tight script and focused direction, the ambitious project collapses under its own weight. If you enjoy experimental mythological fantasy dramas, it offers fleeting moments of novelty, but mainstream audiences seeking a taut thriller may find themselves disappointed.
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