North India Statesman
Kunal Kemmu’s latest directorial venture, VIBE, recorded its highest single-day haul on Sunday, pulling in ₹3.1 crore net at the domestic box office. The sharp upward trajectory pushed the film’s opening weekend worldwide gross to ₹11.3 crore, sealing a strong three-day performance fueled by growing word-of-mouth. After kicking off its theatrical run with steady numbers on Friday, the spy-comedy built consistent momentum throughout Saturday before peaking on Sunday across major metropolitan and tier-2 multiplex circuits.
Trade analysts attribute the film’s weekend escalation to positive audience reviews praising its sharp comic timing and vibrant ensemble performances. Marking Kemmu’s second outing behind the camera following the success of Madgaon Express (2024), VIBE also marks his debut as a film producer, with the project jointly backed by Chirag Nihalani’s Drongo Films and Amazon MGM Studios.
Weekend Trajectory: Steady Friday to Strong Sunday Growth
The film opened domestically with ₹1.70 crore on Friday, followed by an uptick to ₹2.65–₹2.75 crore on Saturday as occupancy rates rose. The strong Sunday surge took its cumulative three-day domestic net total to approximately ₹7.45 crore, while overall worldwide collections crossed the ₹11-crore milestone.
Theatre occupancy climbed steadily over the weekend, moving from an opening day average of around 13–14% to peak above 23% during Sunday evening and night shows. Metros like Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Pune, and Kolkata witnessed high footfalls, establishing a healthy cushion as the film moves into the crucial weekday litmus test.
Dynamic Ensemble and Fresh Buddy-Comedy Energy
Positioned as an action-packed buddy-comedy spin-off originating from Kemmu’s character in Madgaon Express, VIBE follows two ordinary, mismatched friends—Hardik (played by Kunal Kemmu) and Bugs (played by Sparsh Shrivastava)—who unwittingly stumble into a high-stakes national security assignment orchestrated by a covert agency. The comedic pairing of Kemmu and Shrivastava (Laapataa Ladies fame) has drawn particular appreciation from critics and moviegoers alike.
The project features a notable screen comeback for Preity G Zinta in a high-octane, action-oriented role as the enigmatic operative “Madam H,” while newcomer Vanshika Dhir makes an impressive feature debut. The supporting cast is rounded out by veteran performers Yashpal Sharma and Dinesh Lal Yadav ‘Nirahua’. With no major comedy competition currently in theatres and strong audience reception carrying the film, VIBE is well-positioned to maintain sustained box-office momentum throughout its first full week.
