Kunal Kemmu has returned with his second directorial venture Vibe, an upcoming action comedy that combines espionage, adventure and self-aware Bollywood humour. The film's teaser was released on August 21, giving audiences the first detailed look at the unusual story.
The film stars Kunal Kemmu, Preity Zinta and Sparsh Shrivastava in important roles. Vanshika Dhir, Dinesh Lal Yadav and Yashpal Sharma are also part of the cast. Vibe has been written and directed by Kunal Kemmu, who also produces the film with Chirag Nihalani under the Drongo Films banner.
Kunal Kemmu plays an unlikely hero
The teaser introduces Kunal Kemmu as an ordinary man who has no interest in becoming a national hero.
The story follows two close friends, played by Kunal Kemmu and Sparsh Shrivastava, whose routine lives suddenly change when they become involved in a dangerous terrorist plot.
Instead of choosing experienced spies or trained soldiers, the intelligence agency is forced to rely on the two unlikely men.
The central humour comes from their complete lack of preparation for the mission.
Kunal's character repeatedly questions why he has been selected for such an important responsibility, creating several comedic situations throughout the teaser.
Preity Zinta plays the intelligence chief
Preity Zinta makes a strong impression in the teaser as the head of the intelligence operation.
Her character is responsible for assigning the mission to the two reluctant heroes and attempting to prepare them for the dangerous task ahead.
The actress appears in a commanding role, providing a contrast to Kunal's confused and unwilling character.
Her return to a major Hindi theatrical project has also generated interest among audiences.
The teaser suggests that her character will be an important part of the story rather than simply serving as a supporting presence.
Pathaan and Tiger references
One of the most talked-about aspects of the Vibe teaser is its reference to popular Bollywood spy characters.
When Kunal's character is told that the country needs him, he questions why established spies such as Pathaan and Tiger cannot be sent instead.
The references are aimed at Shah Rukh Khan's Pathaan and Salman Khan's Tiger characters, both of which have become major names in Hindi spy cinema.
Rather than treating the spy genre seriously, Vibe uses these familiar characters as part of its comedy.
This self-aware approach allows the film to make fun of the conventions commonly associated with Bollywood action and espionage movies.
Bobby Deol's Soldier reference
The teaser also includes a playful reference to Bobby Deol's Soldier.
When Kunal's character is encouraged to take on the responsibilities of a soldier, he humorously points out that he is not Bobby Deol.
The joke adds another layer to the teaser's meta humour.
By referring directly to well-known Bollywood films and characters, Vibe appears to be deliberately acknowledging the audience's familiarity with the Hindi action genre.
This makes the film different from a conventional patriotic thriller.
Comedy instead of serious patriotism
Vibe appears to take a lighter approach to the familiar story of saving the nation.
Many Indian spy and patriotic films traditionally depend on serious emotions, high-stakes action and dramatic nationalistic themes.
Vibe instead places ordinary people at the centre of the crisis.
The characters are not trained super-spies who willingly accept a dangerous mission.
They are reluctant participants who suddenly find themselves responsible for a much larger situation.
This contrast is the primary source of the film's comedy.
The teaser suggests that the movie will continue this balance between action sequences and humorous situations.
Sparsh Shrivastava's role
Sparsh Shrivastava plays the second accidental hero in Vibe.
Known for his performance in Laapataa Ladies, the actor appears alongside Kunal Kemmu as one of the two friends who become involved in the national security mission.
Unlike Kunal's character, Sparsh's character appears more willing to participate in the mission.
The difference between their personalities creates another source of humour.
Their friendship is expected to remain an important part of the narrative as they attempt to survive circumstances that are far beyond their normal lives.
What is Vibe about?
According to the film's official synopsis, two friends with ordinary lives unexpectedly become involved in a terrorist plot.
They are then given the responsibility of protecting the country despite having little preparation for the task.
The film therefore combines the basic structure of an espionage thriller with the humour of a buddy comedy.
The contrast between the seriousness of the national threat and the incompetence of the accidental heroes forms the foundation of the story.
Kunal Kemmu's second directorial film
Vibe marks Kunal Kemmu's second film as a director.
His directorial debut was Madgaon Express, which was released in 2024.
That film received positive attention for its comedy and ensemble performances and became a successful theatrical release.
With Vibe, Kemmu is once again combining comedy with a high-concept storyline.
However, the new film moves into the action and espionage genre, giving him an opportunity to explore a different style of storytelling.
Action and comedy combination
Although the teaser is heavily focused on humour, Vibe also promises action.
The footage features moments involving danger, weapons, training and attempts by the characters to handle their unexpected responsibilities.
The film appears to use action as a backdrop for comedy rather than treating the two genres separately.
This combination could allow Vibe to appeal to viewers who enjoy both commercial action films and situational comedy.
The teaser's fast pace suggests that the film will move between comedic exchanges and larger action sequences.
A different take on the spy genre
Vibe appears to deliberately challenge the traditional image of the Bollywood spy.
Instead of introducing a highly trained agent who can handle every dangerous situation, the film presents two ordinary men who are suddenly placed in an extraordinary position.
The teaser repeatedly highlights their lack of preparation.
This approach allows the film to create humour from situations that would normally be presented as serious moments in a conventional spy movie.
The direct references to Pathaan, Tiger and Soldier reinforce this approach.
Theatrical release date
Vibe is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on September 18, 2026.
The film is being released by Amazon MGM Studios and is positioned as an action comedy with a strong theatrical component.
The release will put the film in competition with other major theatrical projects arriving around the same period.
Expectations after the teaser
The teaser has created curiosity because of its unusual combination of comedy, espionage and Bollywood references.
Kunal Kemmu's previous success as a director has also raised expectations for the new film.
The addition of Preity Zinta gives Vibe another major attraction, while Sparsh Shrivastava adds a younger performer to the central cast.
The teaser's strongest selling point is its willingness to make fun of familiar Bollywood spy conventions.
Whether that humour works throughout the full film will become clear after its theatrical release.
Overall
Vibe looks set to offer a lighter and more irreverent take on the Indian spy genre.
Kunal Kemmu plays a reluctant hero who would rather leave the country's security to established fictional spies such as Pathaan and Tiger.
Preity Zinta takes on the role of the intelligence chief trying to turn these unlikely candidates into capable heroes, while Sparsh Shrivastava joins Kemmu as his partner in the unexpected mission.
The teaser combines action, comedy and self-referential Bollywood humour.
The references to Pathaan, Tiger and Soldier are particularly notable because they directly acknowledge the popularity of established Hindi action franchises and stars.
With its September 18 theatrical release, Vibe will be one of the upcoming Hindi films to watch for audiences looking for a comedy-driven alternative to conventional spy thrillers.
The film's success will ultimately depend on whether the humour and unusual premise seen in the teaser can be sustained throughout the full story.