Thumbs up, by Subhash K Jha, Bolly Spice : ...After seeing Yash Raj’s Befikre and Meri Pyari Bindu I had begin to lose faith in the illustrious banner. Qaidi Band is the finest Yash Raj film since Dum Laga ke Haisha. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Sreeju Sudhakaran, Bollywood Life : ...Qaidi Band surely has its heart in its right place and tackles a subject rarely discussed in Hindi cinema. The music is fab and both the debutantes have done a really good job here. The execution is patchy post interval, but this Band has the potential to surprise you at quite a few places. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Rohit Bhatnagar, Deccan Chronicle : ...Overall, Qaidi Band is riveting tale of undertrials which has an interesting premise with some crackling performances. Watch out for debutants Aadar Jain, Anya Singh and taut direction by Habib Faisal. ... full review

Thumbs up, by Satish Sundaresan , koimoi : ...After having made a mark in Bollywood with films like Do Dooni Chaar, Ishaqzaade, and Daawat-e-Ishq, director Habib Faisal does an extremely remarkable job with Qaidi Band. Thanks to his directorial ability, he flawlessly converts the script into a compelling visual delight onscreen. With his directorial skills in Qaidi Band, he has catapulted into the league of exemplary film makers. The film’s music (Amit Trivedi) is captivating and complements the script to a ‘t’. Ditto for the film’s background music (Hitesh Modak). ... full review

Thumbs up, Sify Movies : ...And finally, of course, there are the songs -- the lyrics are strongly worded and magnificently structured. And they seamlessly integrate with the narrative. ... full review

Thumbs up, Zee News : ...What is missing in the plot are scenes that emotionally elevate the tempo of the narrative. Though it has its fair share of melodrama, the exuberance needed for a musical is missing. Also the song at the climax is a super let-down. But overall, the film works as an expressive drama. ... full review

So-So, by Vicky Washington, Desi Martini : ...The film honestly had the potential of offering something new, however it misses the shot bigtime. Don’t let yourself be a prisoner of this big screen outing. ... full review

So-So, by Rachit Gupta, Filmfare : ...Good music, solid performances, relevant story, Qaidi Band has everything a film for young India would need. With a little more skillfully crafted narrative, this movie could’ve done wonders. But even with its set of limitations, this is one adept entertainer. ... full review

So-So, by Devesh Sharma, FirstPost : ...Overall, Qaidi Band has an interesting premise, soul-stirring yet forgettable music and a promising newcomer (yeap, that's Anya). But it is buoyed down by a dishonest lead actor whose voice gets distorted by the silver spoon he carries in his mouth. ... full review

So-So, by UDITA JHUNJHUNWALA, Live Mint : ...Faisal the director deserves more credit here than Faisal the writer. As director, Faisal is able to get his young actors to deliver respectably, with Anya Singh in particular standing out. Jain, on the other hand, with his trendy hairdo and acting school cheat-sheet, is less convincing as Sanju, the middle-class boy who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. ... full review

So-So, by Letty Mariam Abraham , MiD DAY : ...Characters like Ram Kapoor, who plays a top notch criminal lawyer, is wasted in the film. Till the end you are confused if the makers want to showcase Pilgaonkar as a strong or caricature jailer. Singh has all the makings of a rockstar. She impresses with her acting, emotions and dialogue delivery. Jain also makes an earnest effort. While their jodi didn't have the crackling chemistry one looks for, they try hard to hold the script together. Some clichéd lines and a predictable story line showcased rather haphazardly is the only flaw of the film. ... full review

So-So, by Kunal Guha, Mumbai Mirror : ...That director Habib Faisal has helmed this one is not apparent through the film. But the filmmaker tucks in quintessential emotional nuggets that remind one of the filmmaker's signature cinematic flourishes. ... full review

So-So, by Nandini Ramnath, Scroll.in : ...Of course it’s too good to last. Qaidi Band is ultimately a prisoner of the need for a happy ending. The convoluted fairytale climax stretches credibility and converts the band’s ill-advised attempt to escape into a thrilling adventure. ... full review

So-So, by Renuka Vyavahare, Times of India : ...Overall, this Qaidi Band means and plays well but lacks the spunk and spirit required to arouse sentiments - rebellious or patriotic. ... full review

Thumbs down, Bollywood Hungama : ...Anay Goswamy’s cinematography is passable. Mukund Gupta’s production design is nice although it could have been more authentic. But the jail complex is well designed and does look real, especially in aerial shots. ... full review

Thumbs down, by Johnson Thomas, Free Press Journal : ...Unfortunately, neither the song nor the production about the injustice of it all gets us involved in this hackneyed telling. This one’s more fantasy than reality. Everything looks put on –other than the young actors who deliver sincere and gritty performances in spite of the sketchy roles they are ladled with. ... full review

Thumbs down, by Vishal Verma, Glamsham.com : ...The most disappointing thing in QAIDI BAND is the maker's refusal to try something edgy, considering its premise and the use of rock music. It's just an example of plain mediocrity and naive approach to filmmaking. ... full review

Thumbs down, by Rohit Vats, Hindustan Times : ...At best, Qaidi Band brings up a new concept and offers some wonderful songs, but that’s about it. It remains an average story told in an average way. ... full review

Thumbs down, Indicine : ...The lifetime business of ‘Qaidi Band’ will be lower than the opening day collections of some of YRF’s biggest failures and that pretty much sums up the dismal box office performance of the film.... full review

Thumbs down, by Jaidev Hemmady, Movie Talkies : ...While the film plot definitely had promise, the execution prevents it from being an enjoyable movie.... full review

Thumbs down, by Manisha Lakhe, Now Running.com : ...Of course, the band members (except the hero and heroine) are caught after they make a daring escape, they sing some more, they are tortured some more and you begin to check messages on the phone. The end is so illogical you wish you had watched their longest running movie Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge instead. ... full review

Thumbs down, by Sukanya Verma, Rediff : ...Aadar Jain is completely outshined by her intensity. He doesn't register beyond a harmless second fiddle. But even he deserves better than a wearisome launchpad like this. ... full review

Thumbs down, by Namrata Joshi, The Hindu : ...Despite Amit Trivedi at the helm the music refuses to soar. And in the name of band rehearsals, the old habit of Yash Raj — to replay songs from its own movies — continues. A limp effort which has one remain disengaged throughout.... full review