Thumbs up,

Bolly Spice
:

…Maidaan is everything that the cinematic experience should be but seldom is: exhilarating, gladdening and motivating. Most important of all, you come away from the film a slightly different person; perhaps a little more kind, tolerant, generous, and compassionate than before….

full review

Thumbs up,
by Simran Singh,

DNA
:

…The director and cinematographer Tushar Kanti Ray deserve a lot of credit for showing the football games without any super slo-mo shots or overly dramatic scenes. AR Rahman then adds to the magic by providing an apt soundtrack and background score that syncs with the film. The one drawback I found was the drop in pace in the second half. Maidaan may not be Lagaan or Chak De India, but it will be remembered as one of the best sports dramas in India in recent times, and just for managing this, director Amit Sharma deserves praise….

full review

Thumbs up,
by Devesh Sharma,

Filmfare
:

…All-in-all, director Amit Ravindernath Sharma has given us a riveting sports drama. Watch it to see the recreation of the golden period of Indian football and for the acting masterclass displayed by Ajay Devgn….

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Thumbs up,
by Murtuza Iqbal,

Filmi Beat
:

…Overall, Maidaan is a entertaining sports drama, but keep patience as the film takes a bit time to come into its element. By the way, this one is clearly a must-watch for football lovers, and Ajay Devgn and Rahman fans….

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Thumbs up,
by Nitin Jain,

Glamsham.com
:

…’Maidaan, directed by Amit Ravindernath Sharma, manages to stand out among other sports films due to its engaging storytelling and emotional depth….

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Thumbs up,
by Monika Rawal Kukreja,

Hindustan Times
:

…Maidaan does get melodramatic at places it could have avoided, but what’s a sports film without a bit of a drama on the field and off it, too. Watch this film on the big screen to feel the adrenaline rush, enjoy some thrilling football and laud a coach who was as good as his team….

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Thumbs up,
by Sana Farzeen,

india today
:

…’Maidaan’ is not only a treat for football enthusiasts but also quite a delight for movie lovers. It immortalises the unsung hero, after whom India never qualified for the Olympics. Rahim, in one scene, says ‘Kismat haathon se nahi, pairon se likhi jaati hai (destiny is written by foot, not hands)’. While it was the truth back then, you realise in reality, luck favours the brave, and SA Rahim was truly Indian football’s Braveheart….

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Thumbs up,
by Sakshi Verma,

India TV
:

…There’s not much to criticise when you have A.R. Rahman sitting on the composer’s chair. Richa Sharma’s ‘Mirza’ song is deep, rightly timed, and beautifully written. Manoj Muntashir could be pardoned for Adipurush’s poor writing after this one. Another banger from the film, ‘Team India Hain Hum’ gives the perfect pace to the film. Ranga Ranga is fine but the Maidaan Anthem that too in Rahman’s voice is a winning goal from the makers. The climax scene gets elevated due to the song and Ajay Devgn’s presence. However, the background scores could have been better….

full review

Thumbs up,
by Husain Rizvi,

Khaleej Times
:

…For a film that does not shy away from dramatisation, there are no gut-wrenching speeches here. And yet, Maidaan, releasing on April 10 in the UAE, with its run-time of three hours, is fairly watchable because it sheds light on a largely forgotten chapter in India’s sports history. A time when Team India struck gold. Literally!…

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Thumbs up,
by “Pooja Darade “,

koimoi
:

…Overall, if you get past the slow-paced first half and some unnecessary scenes, Maidaan is an exciting sports drama. It ignites the sporting fervour within you as you cheer for Team India on the big screen. It’s important for the audience to know the story of Syed Abdul Rahim, because of whom India won at the Asian Games….

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Thumbs up,
by “kamna Arora “,

News N9ne
:

…“Ajay Devgn shines in a role that only an actor of calibre could’ve essayed with flourish. He’s the soul of Maidaan. Gajraj Rao is top notch, while Rudranil Ghosh is superb,” Taran Adarsh wrote….

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Thumbs up,
by Dishya Sharma,

News18.com
:

…Bottomline: Maidaan deserves to be watched. The film brings back emotions that we once felt while watching Chak De! India. I assure you, you won’t leave the theatre without at least hooting once….

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Thumbs up,
by Prateek Sur,

Outlook India
:

…‘Maidaan’ goes beyond the traditional sports drama genre by delving into the protagonists’ inner journeys as well as their achievements on the field. The movie delves into the numerous sacrifices made by the players and the coach especially, emphasising the human element behind the desire of excellence. Ajay Devgn’s performance stands out, as it’s a welcome change to see him move away from his bulging-biceped action avatar. The story is compelling and the background score just leaves you feeling satiated to the core. The trailers may have suggested that it was just another copy of Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Chak De India’, but ‘Maidaan’ makes a mark on its own. Overall it’s a Breezy Repeatable Watch. I am going with 4 stars….

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Thumbs up,
by Rashil Jogani,

Pinkvilla
:

…Maidaan is a work of passion, that can only be envisioned by someone who is really passionate to tell the underdog story of the Indian National Football Team. It succeeds in making the audience relive the Golden Age of Indian Football. There are a few hiccups through the film but you take home a very fulfilling feeling as the credits roll….

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Thumbs up,
by Pratikshya Mishra,

The Quint
:

…Maidaan is, however, a film about the man behind this success. The film intercuts between Rahim’s professional and personal journey, often highlighting how the two merged into each other. The scenes between a brooding Rahim and his supportive wife Runa (Priyamani) would bring a smile to anyone’s face. The chemistry they share in their domesticity is portrayed beautifully by both the actors….

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Thumbs up,
by Dhaval Roy,

Times of India
:

…Maidaan is a must-watch on the big screen for the thrilling experience and outstanding storytelling. It truly emulates the dialogue in the movie, ‘Kismat haathon se nahi, paeron se likhi jaati hai,’ as the team puts its best foot forward with the stellar outing!…

full review

So-So,
by Rahul Desai,

Film Companion
:

…Maidaan scores in stoppage time, but it isn’t enough to salvage the scoreline. A thrilling finish doesn’t always amount to victory. Sometimes, it’s just a slimmer margin of defeat….

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So-So,
by Vinamra Mathur,

FirstPost
:

…When the Indian football team suffers an embarrassing loss, he says- ‘Jab Ghar Ki Neev Kamzor Ho To Chath Badalne Ka Kya Fayda.’ The actor has made a career out of delivering delicious dialogues with all his nonchalance. And in the case of this film, Sharma and Shah opt for a restrained approach to tell a story filled with pathos and glory….

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So-So,
by Rohit Bhatnagar,

Free Press Journal
:

…Ajay is a great performer and doesn’t need any validation, and Maidaan is just another testament to it. He as Syed Abdul Rahim is impactful. Priyamani plays his wife, who is a driving force in his life and career and is watchable. Gajraj Rao plays the part of an arrogant sports journalist well enough. Rest of the actors play their parts aptly….

full review

So-So,
by Baradwaj Rangan,

galatta.com
:

…Maidaan should have been much better, but at least on the big screen, it has its moments. Read more at: https://www.galatta.com/hindi/movie/review/maidaan/…

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So-So,
by Shubhra Gupta,

indian express
:

…Overall, ‘Maidaan’ is not without its flaws, but this underdog story makes you want to clap and cheer, and wipe away a proud tear….

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So-So,
by “Shreyas Pande “,

indian express
:

…Eventually, ‘Maidaan’ doesn’t use the inherent excitement of sports to elevate its storytelling. Rather, it depends too much on its sentimental values. So, when the whistle blows and the match begins, it is the storytelling that meets with a deadly tackle. No hands are raised; no efforts are taken for its recuperation. Yellow card to you, the audience, for not keeping your expectations in check….

full review

So-So,
by Sameer Ahire,

Movie Talkies
:

…So, as a whole, Maidaan should still be a one-time watch for people who aren’t familiar with Hollywood and foreign-language sports dramas because it has all the Indian masala you expect from a typical mainstream film. Sharma missed an opportunity to create a cinematic classic, though, and sadly, we don’t have many Syed Abdul Rahims in India to get such stories again and again….

full review

So-So,
by Nandini Ramnath,

Scroll.in
:

…Syed Abdul Rahim himself needed a more rounded portrait, one that would include his background, his understanding of the beautiful game, and the personal belief system with which he infected the players. Maidaan gives some sense of Rahim’s doggedness, but the man himself remains only partly formed on the football field and elusive beyond it….

full review