VIBE Review: Kunal Kemmu-Preity Zinta’s Comedy Film Has a Terrific First Half but Loses Its Vibe Later

Kunal Kemmu’s VIBE arrives in theatres with an unusual combination of espionage, action and comedy, putting two unlikely men at the centre of a high-stakes mission.

Directed and written by Kemmu, the film stars Kunal Kemmu, Sparsh Shrivastava, Preity Zinta and Vanshika Dhir in key roles. It marks Kemmu’s second directorial feature after Madgaon Express and released theatrically on September 18, 2026.

The film has plenty going for it, particularly in its opening half. But once the story moves deeper into its spy-thriller elements, the balance between comedy and plot becomes less consistent.

What is VIBE about?

Kunal Kemmu’s VIBE follows Hardik, played by Kemmu, and his friend Bugs, played by Sparsh Shrivastava.

The two ordinary men find themselves pulled into a secret mission involving a wanted terrorist. Preity Zinta plays Madam H, the official overseeing the operation, while Vanshika Dhir plays Kareena.

The premise allows Kemmu to turn the conventional spy-film formula on its head. Instead of polished super-agents, the film puts relatively unqualified and often bewildered characters into situations normally reserved for highly trained action heroes.

The first half is where VIBE really works

The strongest stretch of VIBE is its first half.

The film throws together slapstick, wordplay, pop-culture references, physical comedy and one-liners, often moving rapidly from one gag to another. Several reviewers noted that the comic writing and the chemistry between Hardik and Bugs are among the film's biggest strengths.

The training sequence is particularly effective, turning the process of preparing the two men for their mission into a series of comic failures.

Rather than presenting the pair as glamorous action heroes, the film makes their incompetence part of the joke. That contrast gives the opening portion much of its energy.

Kunal Kemmu and Sparsh Shrivastava lead the comedy

Kunal Kemmu is clearly in his comfort zone with Hardik, using his comic timing, expressions and dialogue delivery to extract humour from even relatively simple situations.

However, Sparsh Shrivastava provides an important counterbalance. His more restrained performance works against Kemmu’s chaotic comic energy, creating the buddy-comedy dynamic that keeps many scenes entertaining. Multiple reviews have singled out Shrivastava’s performance as a highlight.

Their contrasting personalities become one of the film’s most dependable sources of humour.

Preity Zinta makes an impact

Preity Zinta, returning to a prominent Hindi-film role, plays Madam H, the authority figure connected to the mission.

Her role allows her to participate in the film’s action-comedy tone, including an action sequence that has been highlighted positively in reviews.

Zinta brings a different energy to the otherwise chaotic world occupied by Kemmu and Shrivastava.

The film also features Vanshika Dhir in her acting debut, alongside actors including Yashpal Sharma and Dinesh Lal Yadav 'Nirahua'.

Where does VIBE lose momentum?

The biggest problem arrives after the interval.

Once Hardik and Bugs become more deeply involved in the espionage mission, the film starts giving greater attention to the mechanics of its plot. The shift increases the stakes but also reduces the frequency and effectiveness of the comedy.

Several reviews have pointed to the uneven second half, with the narrative becoming stretched and the climax failing to match the energy generated earlier.

Cinema Express similarly observed that the film's punchlines often work better than its plot points, while the story eventually struggles to maintain a consistent balance between spoof and sincerity.

Comedy versus spy thriller

This is ultimately where VIBE faces its biggest creative challenge.

The film is at its most comfortable when it embraces its absurdity. But as the espionage storyline becomes more prominent, the movie occasionally appears caught between two different identities: a goofy buddy comedy and a more conventional spy adventure.

The result is an uneven second half in which some of the jokes still land, but the effortless comic rhythm of the opening portion becomes harder to sustain.

Does VIBE live up to its title?

In parts, absolutely.

The first half has the kind of irreverent, deliberately silly energy associated with Kemmu’s comic work. There are enough amusing situations, character interactions and unexpected jokes to make the opening portion lively.

But the film's “vibe” becomes less consistent as the story progresses.

Some reviewers found the movie entertaining overall, while others felt its comedy became increasingly patchy as the plot moved towards its climax.

That difference in response reflects the film's central characteristic: it works best when it stops worrying about the mechanics of its spy story and simply lets its characters be ridiculous.

Final Verdict

Kunal Kemmu’s VIBE is an uneven but frequently funny action-comedy.

Its first half is its biggest strength, powered by Kemmu’s comic timing, Sparsh Shrivastava’s reactions and an entertaining buddy dynamic. Preity Zinta adds star presence and gets some enjoyable action moments.

The second half, however, loses some of that momentum as the film becomes increasingly invested in its espionage plot. The stretched narrative and less convincing payoff make the latter portion less effective than the opening.

Ultimately, VIBE has enough laughs and performances to make it an entertaining theatrical comedy, but its strongest moments arrive before the story becomes too serious about being a spy film.