Kunal Kemmu’s latest film Vibe has found appreciation from viewers despite a relatively modest theatrical start. The Hindi comedy-action thriller currently carries an IMDb rating of around 7.3/10, based on user ratings, giving the film a strong reception on the platform.
The film, which arrived in cinemas on September 18, 2026, stars Kunal Kemmu alongside Preity Zinta, Sparsh Shrivastava and debutante Vanshika Dhir. It follows two unlikely friends who accidentally get caught up in a terrorist plot and are suddenly pushed into the world of espionage.
Kunal Kemmu Wears Multiple Hats In Vibe
One of the biggest talking points surrounding Vibe is the number of responsibilities handled by Kunal Kemmu. He stars in the film as Hardik, while also serving as its director and writer. The Central Board of Film Certification credits Kemmu with the film’s direction, screenplay and story, while also listing him among its producers alongside Chirag Nihalani.
The film marks Kemmu’s second directorial venture after Madgaon Express. His debut as a director became known for its comedy and ensemble chemistry, while Vibe takes him into a more unusual combination of comedy, action and spy elements.
In Vibe, Kemmu plays Hardik Sharma, a man who moves to Mumbai after spending time in rehabilitation. His childhood friend Bugs, played by Sparsh Shrivastava, tries to help him get his life back on track. Their ordinary lives take an unexpected turn when they become involved in an intelligence operation.
The Film Also Features Sharmila Tagore
Another major attraction is the presence of veteran actor Sharmila Tagore, who happens to be Kunal Kemmu’s mother-in-law. Kemmu is married to Soha Ali Khan, Sharmila’s daughter.
The filmmaker previously revealed that approaching Sharmila for Vibe was something of a gamble. He asked her if she would play a cameo and she responded by asking for the film’s synopsis. According to Kemmu, she later told him that asking for the synopsis was essentially a “trick question” because she had already decided to do the role.
For Kemmu, directing a veteran performer who is also his mother-in-law added a unique personal dimension to the project.
Preity Zinta Returns To The Big Screen
Vibe also marks an important comeback for Preity Zinta, who plays an intelligence officer known as Madam H. The cast includes Sparsh Shrivastava, Vanshika Dhir, Yashpal Sharma and Dinesh Lal Yadav, popularly known as Nirahua.
The combination of comedy and espionage forms the core of the film. According to the official synopsis, two friends who are hardly prepared for such a responsibility find themselves involved in an operation to stop a major terrorist attack.
Vibe Box Office Collection Remains Modest
Despite the encouraging IMDb rating, Vibe had a relatively slow start at the domestic box office.
According to Sacnilk figures cited by NDTV, the film collected approximately Rs 1.50 crore net in India on its opening day, recording around 13.38% overall occupancy across 3,194 shows.
The film did show improvement on its second day. The Indian Express reported that Vibe collected around Rs 2.65 crore net on Saturday, representing a 55.9% increase from its opening day. Its two-day India net total stood at approximately Rs 4.35 crore, according to the figures cited in the report.
These numbers show a gap between the film’s audience reception on platforms such as IMDb and its initial theatrical performance.
Critics Praise The Comedy And Performances
The film has also received positive reviews from critics. The Times of India gave Vibe a 3.5/5 rating, describing it as an entertaining spy comedy where the screenplay and humour help elevate a relatively simple premise.
Kunal Kemmu’s comic timing has been highlighted, while his pairing with Sparsh Shrivastava has also received attention. The supporting cast, including Preity Zinta, Yashpal Sharma and Nirahua, adds to the film’s comic and action-oriented tone.
However, the second half has been described as more complicated as the film shifts further into action, spy missions and twists.
Vibe And Daayra Released On The Same Day
Another factor surrounding the film was its theatrical clash with Kareena Kapoor Khan’s Daayra. Both films released on September 18, although they belong to different genres.
Interestingly, the clash created a family connection because Kareena is Kunal Kemmu’s sister-in-law, while Sharmila Tagore appears in Vibe. Kemmu himself said he did not view the simultaneous release as a family rivalry and pointed out that the two films were aimed at different audiences.
A Film With Strong Reviews But A Slow Theatrical Journey
Vibe therefore presents an interesting box-office story. On one side, the film has a 7+ IMDb rating, positive critical reactions and a cast featuring Kunal Kemmu, Preity Zinta and Sharmila Tagore. On the other, its opening-day theatrical collection remained modest before showing a noticeable jump on the second day.
For Kunal Kemmu, however, the film represents another step in his evolution from actor to filmmaker. With acting, writing, directing and producing responsibilities attached to the project, Vibe showcases a much broader side of his filmmaking ambitions.
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