‘Vibe’ Movie Review: Kunal Khemu’s Comedy Nails First Half, Loses Its Charm Later

Kunal Khemu and Preity Zinta’s ‘Vibe’ delivers a riotous first half but stumbles into a messy spy plot after the interval.

‘Vibe’ Movie Review: Where Kunal Khemu’s Comedy Shines and Where It Fades
Kunal Khemu is back with ‘Vibe,’ a comedy that wears its silliness proudly on its sleeve — and for a while, it works beautifully. Starring Preity Zinta alongside Khemu, this newly released film had audiences expecting another ‘Madgaon Express’-style riot. Does it deliver? The answer, as this review of ‘Vibe’ explains, is only partly yes.

Who Made ‘Vibe’ and What’s It About?
Who: Kunal Khemu (writer, director, lead actor), alongside Preity Zinta, Sparsh Shrivastava and Vanshika Dhir.
What: A comedy-thriller about two ordinary young men accidentally pulled into a government spy mission.
When: Released this week in theatres.
Where: Wide theatrical release across India.
Why it matters: It’s Khemu’s first directorial comedy since the hit ‘Madgaon Express,’ and expectations were high.

The premise — two regular guys recruited by a government agency for a dangerous mission — inevitably draws comparisons to Hollywood’s ‘The Interview.’ But ‘Vibe’ quickly tries to carve its own comic identity through its characters and dialogue.

What Is the Story of ‘Vibe’?
The story follows Hardik (Kunal Khemu), fresh out of drug rehab and trying to rebuild his life. His friend Bugs (Sparsh Shrivastava) gets him a job at his tech company, where Hardik develops feelings for intern Karina (Vanshika Dhir). Despite Bugs’ warning to stay away, Hardik asks her out anyway — setting off a chain of chaotic events.

Enter Madam H (Preity Zinta), a government agency operative hunting a dangerous gangster. Before long, Hardik and Bugs are unwittingly swept into her mission, turning two simple lives into an absurd espionage caper.

How Are the Performances in ‘Vibe’?
Kunal Khemu: Carries the film almost single-handedly, delivering effortless comic timing that keeps things engaging even when the material weakens.

Sparsh Shrivastava: As Bugs, he matches Khemu’s comic rhythm well — their pairing is easily one of the film’s most entertaining elements.

Preity Zinta: Her performance as Madam H feels slightly uneven; several line deliveries come across as overly familiar, making some scenes feel less natural than intended.

Supporting cast: Yashpal Sharma and Dinesh Lal Yadav (Nirahua), playing officers under Madam H, do a competent job. Vanshika Dhir, in her debut as Karina, holds her own on screen.

Direction: Why the First Half Works Better Than the Second
The film’s biggest strength is its first half. Kunal Khemu establishes early — through his own voiceover — that this story isn’t meant to be taken seriously. The dialogue and one-liners, which Khemu wrote himself, land consistently, and his comic timing as a writer-director is on full display.

But after the interval, that easy charm starts slipping. The comedy thins out, and in trying to push the plot forward, the film piles on unnecessary twists and layers. What began as a story about two ordinary men in an odd situation slowly turns into a tangled spy drama that loses its original spark.

Should You Watch ‘Vibe’?
If you’re looking for a timepass watch or you’re a fan of Kunal Khemu’s comic style, ‘Vibe’ is worth a shot. Just don’t walk in expecting another ‘Madgaon Express’ — this one’s charm fades faster than it builds.

Conclusion
‘Vibe’ is a film of two distinct halves: a genuinely funny, well-paced first half carried by Kunal Khemu’s writing and comic timing, followed by a second half that overcomplicates itself with spy-thriller twists it never quite earns. It’s an enjoyable enough watch for fans of light comedy, but falls short of matching the consistency of Khemu’s earlier hit.

FAQs

Q1: Who are the lead actors in ‘Vibe’?
Ans. ‘Vibe’ stars Kunal Khemu, Preity Zinta, Sparsh Shrivastava and Vanshika Dhir, with Khemu also writing and directing.

Q2: What is the story of ‘Vibe’ about?
Ans. It follows two friends who get accidentally pulled into a government spy mission while dealing with their own personal and romantic struggles.

Q3: Is ‘Vibe’ similar to Kunal Khemu’s ‘Madgaon Express’?
Ans. It shares Khemu’s comic sensibility, but audiences expecting the same consistency as ‘Madgaon Express’ may find the second half underwhelming.

Q4: Is ‘Vibe’ worth watching in theatres?
Ans. It’s recommended as a timepass watch, especially for fans of Kunal Khemu, though the second half is noticeably weaker than the first.

Q5: How is Preity Zinta’s performance in ‘Vibe’?
Ans. Her performance as Madam H is functional but occasionally feels typical, with some line deliveries lacking natural flow.

Stay connected with Soochnatantra for such latest news from the entertainment world.