Kunal Kemmu's Spy Comedy 'Vibe' Opens to Mixed Reviews

Kunal Kemmu's new spy comedy 'Vibe' opened in theatres on September 18, 2026, to a mixed reception from critics and early viewers. The film, which Kemmu directed, wrote, and stars in, follows two unlikely friends, Hardik and Bugs, who are recruited by a spy chief for a national security mission. The consensus among reviewers is that the film's first half is a success, praised for its humor and the strong chemistry between lead actors Kunal Kemmu and Sparsh Shrivastava. Critics noted Kemmu's effective comic timing and Shrivastava's solid performance as the straight man. However, multiple reviews and social media reactions consistently identified a significant drop in quality during the film's second half, describing the plot as convoluted, the pacing as uneven, and the climax as disappointing. The plot centers on Hardik, a slacker and coder, and his earnest best friend Bugs, who are drawn into a dangerous mission after Hardik's romance with an intern, Kareena, connects them to a conspiracy. They are forcibly recruited by spy chief Madam H, played by Preity Zinta, to investigate a threat known as "Operation Benaqab." The narrative takes the characters from Mumbai to Bangkok.