Kunal Kemmu and Kareena Kapoor Khan are about to find themselves on opposite sides of the box-office battle, but there is no family drama behind it. Kemmu’s comedy VIBE and Kareena’s crime thriller Daayra are scheduled to arrive in cinemas on September 18, putting the actor-director’s film against a project starring his sister-in-law. While Kareena had earlier expressed hope that both movies would perform well, Kemmu has now shared his own perspective on the unusual clash.
In an exclusive conversation with Variety India, Kemmu made it clear that he is not particularly excited about the two films arriving on the same day, although he is not losing sleep over the situation either. For him, release dates are shaped by several business considerations that filmmakers do not always control. More importantly, he believes there is enough room for both movies if exhibitors give them the opportunity to reach their respective audiences.
Kunal Kemmu Praises Kareena And Daayra
Kemmu began by acknowledging Kareena’s comments about VIBE and said he appreciated the fact that she spoke positively about his film. He also pointed out that she had no obligation to promote or praise a project simply because they are family. Kemmu said, “It was so sweet of her to say good things about my film. She is a superstar, so she did not need to do that. Kareena has not watched “VIBE” yet, and I haven’t seen “Daayra.””
Despite not having seen each other’s films, Kemmu has plenty of admiration for Kareena’s work. He described himself as an admirer of her acting and also praised her as a person, making it clear that the box-office clash does not change his personal regard for her. At the same time, he acknowledged that releasing two films together is not necessarily something anyone involved would ideally choose. He said, “I have been an ardent admirer of her as an actor. She’s lovely as a person too. But when it comes to ‘Daayra’ and ‘VIBE,’ I don’t think anybody really wants to release it all together.”
That distinction is important because the clash is ultimately a business decision rather than a personal one. Both films have different genres and are targeting somewhat different audience interests, which could work in their favour if viewers are willing to make room for both. A crime thriller led by Kareena and Prithviraj Sukumaran offers a very different theatrical proposition from Kemmu’s comedy. That difference could reduce the direct competition between the two movies, provided they receive enough screens and showtimes.
Why Kunal Kemmu Isn’t Worried About The Clash
Kemmu also addressed the practical side of theatrical releases, explaining that filmmakers do not always have complete control over when their movies arrive. He said, “It is business at the end of the day. These aren’t choices that we actively make ourselves. Many other things drive it. Meghna Gulzar is a fantastic filmmaker. “Talvar” is one of my all-time favorites. She is coming with something that is in her strength. Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran are powerhouse performers. I would love to watch that film myself,” he says.
His comments underline the fact that Kemmu does not view Daayra as an unwanted competitor simply because it shares the same release date. In fact, he appears genuinely interested in seeing Meghna Gulzar’s latest film, particularly because of his admiration for her earlier work. His reference to Talvar also explains why he believes Daayra could appeal strongly to audiences looking for an intense thriller.
The bigger concern, according to Kemmu, is not having another film on the same release date but how cinemas divide their available screens. He believes both films can coexist if neither is unfairly pushed aside. That makes screen allocation one of the most important factors in determining how the September 18 clash ultimately plays out at the box office.
VIBE And Daayra Need Equal Showcasing
Kemmu was particularly direct when discussing the question of screens and audience access. He said, “Am I excited about the fact that these films are releasing together? No. Am I worried? No. I feel that there is enough and more for everyone. The problem starts when you don’t get enough showcasing. We would have a problem if we were in a place where one film got 90 percent of the screens and the other got 10 percent. But I don’t think that’s the case. We’ll get equal showcasing, and there is an audience for both. There is an audience that may choose to watch a thriller or a comedy. Some people may watch one film on Friday and the other on Sunday. My only wish is that people come out and watch both films.”
That is perhaps the clearest indication of how Kemmu is approaching the clash. Rather than asking audiences to choose sides, he wants viewers to treat the two releases as separate cinematic experiences. The genres give moviegoers a straightforward choice depending on their mood, with VIBE offering comedy and Daayra bringing a crime thriller to theatres. For Kemmu, the ideal outcome is not one film defeating the other but both getting a fair chance to find their audiences.
The clash also brings an interesting family connection to the theatrical calendar. Kemmu is married to Soha Ali Khan, making Kareena Kapoor Khan his sister-in-law, while both actors have established careers of their own in Hindi cinema. Yet the actor’s comments suggest that there is no intention to turn the release-date overlap into a personal rivalry. His focus remains firmly on the films, their audiences and the importance of fair theatrical showcasing.
With September 18 approaching, the real test will begin once both movies start competing for audience attention. Daayra arrives with Meghna Gulzar at the helm and Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran leading the cast, while VIBE is looking to attract viewers with its comedy-driven appeal. If Kemmu’s assessment proves correct, the two films could find enough space to perform alongside each other rather than turning the clash into a winner-takes-all battle. For now, his message is simple: give both movies a fair shot and let audiences decide what they want to watch.
VIBE Vs Daayra: Q&A
When are VIBE and Daayra releasing?
Kunal Kemmu’s VIBE and Kareena Kapoor Khan’s Daayra are scheduled to release in cinemas on September 18. The simultaneous release has created interest because Kareena and Kemmu are family members. Kemmu has said he is not excited about the clash but is not worried about it either. He believes both films can find their audiences if they receive enough theatrical showcasing.
What did Kunal Kemmu say about Kareena Kapoor Khan?
Kunal Kemmu praised Kareena for speaking positively about VIBE. He said, “It was so sweet of her to say good things about my film. She is a superstar, so she did not need to do that.” He also said that he admires her as an actor and considers her a lovely person. Kemmu made it clear that their family relationship does not change his professional admiration for her.
Has Kareena watched VIBE?
No, according to Kunal Kemmu’s comments, Kareena Kapoor Khan had not watched VIBE at the time of his conversation with Variety India. Kemmu also said that he had not seen Daayra. Despite that, he spoke positively about Kareena and the film’s creative team. He also expressed interest in watching Meghna Gulzar’s thriller.
What does Kunal Kemmu think about the VIBE and Daayra clash?
Kemmu said he is not excited about both films releasing together, but he is not worried about the situation. He believes there is an audience for both a comedy and a thriller. His main concern is whether both movies receive enough screens and showtimes. He hopes audiences will watch both films rather than treating the clash as an either-or choice.
Who stars in Daayra?
Daayra stars Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead roles. The film is directed by Meghna Gulzar, whom Kemmu praised during his conversation with Variety India. He specifically mentioned Talvar as one of his favourite films. He also described Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran as powerhouse performers.
What is Kunal Kemmu’s wish for VIBE and Daayra?
Kemmu wants both films to receive equal theatrical showcasing and have a fair opportunity to reach audiences. He believes the two movies serve different audience preferences because one is a comedy while the other is a thriller. He suggested that some viewers could watch one film on Friday and the other on Sunday. His biggest wish is that audiences come out and watch both.
