Paan Singh Tomar attracts rave reviews from film critics

Tigmanshu Dhulia's latest directorial venture Paan Singh Tomar is a biopic on unsung athlete named Paan Singh Tomar. The movie has received rave reviews from almost film critics. The Irrfan Khan’s wonderful performance and Dhulia’s story and directions have been admired by reviewers. The film has been rated 3.75 out of 5. Continue to read film critics’ verdict.

Glamsham - Martin D'Souza’s Rating: 4.5
Paan Singh Tomar celebrates sports. It also highlights the apparent jungle we all are living in. Just imagine what his life would have been had his complaint been registered in the police station and was he given the respect due to him. Dacoits are made, not born.

Times of India - Avijit Ghosh’s Rating: 4
In a country obsessed with overpaid cricketers, a biopic on a former national champion athlete is reason enough to celebrate. But Dhulia's film is much more. It is one of superbly crafted film that underlines the linkage of life, sports and society.

Mid-Day - Shubha Shetty-Saha’s Rating: 4
In this cricket-obsessed country, many talented men who excelled in other forms of sports have died lonely and penniless. This is Dhulia's perfect tribute to them and perhaps a wake-up call for all of us. Now that our hockey team is going great guns, this couldn't have come at a better time.

DNA - Aniruddha Guha’s Rating: 4
Tigmanshu Dhulia's Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster was among last year's better films. Craftily-written and well-enacted, we finally got a taste of what Dhulia could achieve as filmmaker after a promising debut in Haasil. His best film, though, had been ready much before SBAG even went into production. A film the ads of which now carry the line, ‘From the director of Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster.’ This film, Paan Singh Tomar, is Dhulia’s real triumph as a filmmaker.

Rediff - Aseem Chhabra’s Rating: 3.5
The tragedy of Paan Singh Tomar and Irrfan Khan's execution of the role are both compelling.

Bollywood Hungama - Taran Adarsh’s Rating: 3.5
PAAN SINGH TOMAR shatters the standard rules of this genre. Besides, the film makes you cognizant that serious cinema can be uniformly delightful, like any other enthralling entertainer. If this variety of cinema allures you then chances are that you will take pleasure in watching PAAN SINGH TOMAR. Recommended!

CNN IBN - Rajeev Masand’s Rating: 3.5
I'm going with three-and-a-half out of five for director Tigmanshu Dhulia's 'Paan Singh Tomar'. Held up by a remarkable performance from Irrfan Khan, this is a well-intentioned film that's worth your time.

Oneindia’s Rating: 3.5
Tigmanshu has made a serious endeavour to grab your attention by focussing on the reason behind why Paan Singh decides to become a dacoit. In fact, the motive is so compelling that you begin to relate to the character essayed by Irrfan Khan.

Hindustan Times - Anupama Chopra’s Rating: 3
Paan Singh Tomar has good intentions but not enough emotional heft. I wanted to feel more. But what Dhulia and Irrfan do give us is a fascinating character who was at once, complex and childlike. He makes it worth watching.

Koimoi - Komal Nahta’s Rating: 1.5
The second half which is a routine revenge drama; the difficulty which the lay viewer will face while trying to understand the Bundelkhandi dialect in which the dialogues are spoken. Paan Singh Tomar does not make too much of a mark, thanks to the dull second half.