Kunal Kemmu is returning to the director’s chair with VIBE, but this time he has a legendary actress adding another layer of excitement to his film. Sharmila Tagore, who is also Kemmu’s mother-in-law, makes a cameo in the upcoming movie, which is scheduled to release on September 18. For Kemmu, however, directing an actress with a career that includes collaborations with filmmakers such as Satyajit Ray and Hrishikesh Mukherjee came with a very different kind of pressure.
The filmmaker has written, co-produced and acted in VIBE, making the project an especially personal one. After the success of Madgaon Express, Kemmu has once again chosen to take on multiple responsibilities behind and in front of the camera. But having Tagore appear in his second directorial venture was something that happened more naturally than viewers might expect.
How Sharmila Tagore Came On Board VIBE
Kemmu revealed that Tagore herself was interested in making an appearance in his next directorial. After Madgaon Express, Soha Ali Khan told him that her mother wanted to make a cameo in his upcoming film. Kemmu initially assumed the comment was casual, so he decided to ask Tagore directly whether she was actually serious about appearing.
The conversation quickly turned into a memorable exchange between the two. Kemmu recalls, “After “Madgaon Express” she knew that I was making another film. Soha told me that Amma wants to make a cameo in my next film. I thought she was just saying that, so I went and asked her if she was serious. Amma said, ‘Yes. What do you have in mind?’ I told her that I had a cameo for her. She asked me to tell her about it. And then she jokingly said, ‘That was a trick question. Of course, I’ll do it.’”
That response meant Kemmu did not have to convince Tagore to participate. Instead, the filmmaker had to figure out what kind of role would make sense for an actress of her stature while still fitting naturally into the story he had written. The result was deliberately kept as a cameo, with Kemmu explaining that the part was designed as a one-day shoot.
For a director working with an actor of Tagore’s experience, even a small appearance can carry considerable weight. She has previously worked with some of Indian cinema’s most celebrated filmmakers, which made the opportunity both exciting and intimidating for Kemmu. Rather than hiding that pressure, the VIBE filmmaker openly admits that directing her made him question whether he could handle the responsibility.
Why Kunal Kemmu Called It a “Tick in the Checklist”
Kemmu’s admiration for Tagore is evident when he discusses the experience of directing her. He says, “I don’t know if I can handle this pressure (of directing Tagore). I had told her that it would be one day of work. That is why I have maintained it is a cameo.”
Despite the nervousness, getting to direct Tagore became a memorable professional achievement for Kemmu. He describes the opportunity as a personal milestone and says, “It is a tick in the checklist. It is like a feather in my hat to have said that I got to direct the great Sharmila Tagore. And I’m very thankful that she did this.”
That sentiment also explains why Kemmu resisted the temptation to expand Tagore’s part simply because she is part of his family. Her presence in VIBE needed to serve the story first, rather than functioning as a promotional casting decision. The filmmaker says Tagore was “gracious enough to make time for the shooting,” allowing the cameo to remain focused without turning it into a larger role.
Kemmu is also clear about the standard he set for himself when deciding whether to approach Tagore for a role. He explains, “I have to find a part worthy of her. If I had a strong part for her, I would have approached her for that. I wouldn’t just cast her because she’s my mother-in-law. She is first a legendary actress who I have been in awe of. My parents have also been in awe of her. The role is quirky and interesting and she justifies playing that part.”
That distinction is important because VIBE is not simply using Tagore’s name as a casting headline. Kemmu wanted the character to have a reason to exist within the film, and the role’s quirky nature apparently gave Tagore an opportunity to bring her own presence to the story. For the director, that made the cameo worthwhile without forcing a larger part into a script that did not require one.
What Makes Sharmila Tagore’s VIBE Cameo Special?
The cameo carries significance because of the different stages of cinema represented by Tagore and Kemmu. Tagore has spent decades working across Hindi and Bengali cinema, while Kemmu is now establishing himself behind the camera after years as an actor. Their collaboration gives VIBE a connection between two generations of performers and filmmakers without making that relationship the entire selling point of the movie.
Kemmu’s decision to keep the appearance short also suggests that the cameo was conceived around the character rather than the celebrity. One day of shooting was enough for the role, according to his comments, and he appears particularly conscious of making sure Tagore’s involvement feels justified. That approach allows the film to benefit from her presence while keeping the story focused on its main narrative.
For Kemmu, the bigger takeaway may ultimately be what the experience represents for his growth as a director. His first directorial venture, Madgaon Express, established him as a filmmaker capable of moving beyond his acting career, while VIBE gives him another opportunity to develop that side of his creative identity. Directing an actress he has admired for years makes the project personally meaningful even before audiences see her cameo.
VIBE is set to arrive in theatres on September 18, and Tagore’s appearance is likely to become one of the film’s most discussed moments around its release. The intrigue is not only about seeing the veteran actress return to the screen, but also about watching her work under the direction of Kemmu, someone who knows her personally yet approached the role with the perspective of a filmmaker. If the cameo delivers the quirky quality Kemmu promises, it could become a small but memorable part of the film.
VIBE and Sharmila Tagore: Search Questions
When is Kunal Kemmu’s VIBE releasing?
VIBE is scheduled to release in cinemas on September 18. Kunal Kemmu has written, co-produced, directed and also stars in the film.
Is Sharmila Tagore in VIBE?
Yes, Sharmila Tagore appears in VIBE in a cameo role. Kunal Kemmu has spoken about the experience of directing the veteran actress.
Why did Sharmila Tagore agree to do a cameo in VIBE?
According to Kemmu, Tagore was interested in appearing in his next directorial after watching Madgaon Express. When he asked whether she was serious, she confirmed that she would do the cameo.
How long did Sharmila Tagore shoot for VIBE?
Kemmu said he had told Tagore that her part would involve one day of work. He has therefore continued to describe her appearance as a cameo.
Why didn’t Kunal Kemmu give Sharmila Tagore a bigger role?
Kemmu said he wanted to offer her a role that was genuinely worthy of her rather than casting her simply because she is his mother-in-law. He felt the quirky character in VIBE was a suitable part for her.
What does Kunal Kemmu think about directing Sharmila Tagore?
Kemmu admitted that directing Tagore came with pressure because of her immense experience and past work with legendary filmmakers. At the same time, he described getting to direct her as “a tick in the checklist” and “a feather in my hat.”
