Vibe (2026) Review!!

Synopsis – Two hapless friends who can barely manage their own lives accidentally stumble upon a terrorist plot and suddenly find themselves responsible for saving the nation despite being completely unprepared for the task.

My Take – After two back-to-back box office misfires, the future of the much-hyped YRF Spy Universe looks shaky. But fans of the genre needn’t worry as Kunal Khemu has a surprise in store. His second directorial, following the breezy Madgaon Express (2024), takes a different path. Yes, there are agents, missions, and twists, but instead of another brooding thriller, but writer-director Khemu injects comedy into the spy setup, giving the film its own quirky identity.

It’s a spiritual extension of Hardik, the clueless stoner from Go Goa Gone (2013) and Madgaon Express, now stumbling into espionage chaos. The result is a parody that goes all-in for laughs. Khemu, with his affable and witty touch, leads the charge, turning the genre on its head. Powered by strong performances, the film delivers wall-to-wall entertainment.

If you want a stress-buster filled with gags, clever spoofs, and endless replay value, this one fits the bill. The setup leans on the classic “wrong men, right place” formula, blending action with humor, before shifting from Mumbai to Bangkok for a wild climax. While it borrows from global spy-comedy traditions, its Indian flavor makes the difference. Instead of lampooning James Bond, it pokes fun at audiences who buy into slick spy fantasies. Sure, the second half drags a bit and the villain arc feels routine, but the sheer madness and comic energy keep it afloat.

The story follows Hardik Sharma (Kunal Khemu) and Bhagirath “Bugs” (Sparsh Srivastava), two best friends who couldn’t be more different. Hardik, fresh out of rehab, is impulsive and chaotic, while the younger Bugs, a level-headed software whiz in Mumbai, is the one holding things together.

Yet Bugs idolizes Hardik, who treats his friend’s loyalty like a favor—he’s the kind of charming dead-weight that anxious introverts gravitate toward. Determined to help, Bugs even convinces his boss to hire Hardik, who lands in the marketing department. There, Hardik meets intern Kareena (Vanshika Dhir), and sparks fly. But soon the duo is swept into far bigger stakes: Madam H (Preity Zinta), a shadowy intelligence chief, recruits them to stop a looming Middle-Eastern terror plot. Suddenly, the fate of the nation rests on the shoulders of the two least-qualified men imaginable.

Kunal Khemu’s second outing as director confirms his versatility—he writes, acts, produces, and directs with ease. What stands out most is his refusal to make the film overly intense. Though it has all the trappings of a spy thriller, he adds a playful dose of comedy that makes the ride far more entertaining. For most of the run time, the film is comedy gold, as Khemu trusts his instincts as a writer, and they pay off. Hardik and Bugs’ reluctant initiation into espionage hits the sweet spot between spoof and slapstick.

As a viewer, you’re either laughing or waiting to laugh. The humor isn’t just gags and punchlines; it thrives on situational language and physical timing. A few cheap innuendos feel misplaced, but Khemu’s knack for reaction shots, throwaway gestures, and self-deprecating pauses keeps the unpredictability alive.

He creates something out of nothing, both as actor and director. Equally refreshing is the portrayal of male friendship that defies on-screen norms. Hardik and Bugs weep, beg, confess, and panic without shame. They’re not cowards or losers, just ordinary men in survival mode. Each frame embraces the humor of being average in a world obsessed with heroics. Hardik’s incompetence fuels some of the funniest sequences—wired against his will, tasered into compliance, breaking a lie detector with sheer nerves, even exasperating interrogators with his cluelessness.

The film does stumble in the second half. Once the story shifts to Thailand, the comedy takes a backseat and the narrative morphs into a conventional action thriller. The abrupt switch, from parody to plot-heavy spectacle, dilutes the charm. Khemu clearly aimed for a big-screen entertainer in the vein of Main Hoon Na (2004), blending genres into one package.

But the transition feels forced, and the baseline comedy is so strong that its absence is keenly felt. What was once unpredictability becomes uneven pacing. Still, his screenplay ensures the momentum rarely dips. The action sequences are fluidly choreographed, serving the comedy rather than overshadowing it. Even with its uneven second half, the film remains a lively, inventive spin on the spy genre.

Kunal Khemu, both behind and in front of the camera, is clearly having a blast. As Hardik, he leans fully into man-child energy without ever tipping into cringe. Playing useless yet staying likable is a rare skill, and Khemu nails it. Sparsh Shrivastava as Bugs matches him beautifully, bringing infectious energy and warmth to the screen. Preity Zinta’s return as Madam H is a highlight—commanding, dryly funny, and visibly enjoying a role that lets her be both boss and action figure. Every scene where she wrangles Hardik and Bugs is a treat.

Vanshika Dhir makes a striking debut, balancing charm with restraint, never overplaying her presence. Supporting turns from Dinesh Lal Yadav and Yashpal Sharma are equally effective, ensuring the film’s pace never slackens. Together, the ensemble keeps the momentum alive, making the comedy and chaos consistently engaging. On the whole, ‘Vibe‘ is an absolute crowd-pleaser that thrives on Kunal Khemu’s sharp comic timing, witty one-liners, and a cast that keeps the entertainment flowing.