Login/Sign Up
Critics Review
1.50
Anya Singh is the rockstar in this otherwise offbeat film
Qaidi Band's first half works because it immerses viewers into a new world and its ways. This isn't your standard prison film in which inmates eat hard rotis and raw onions. Here they warm up their dal and rotis by bribing a few officials and do odd jobs such as eyebrow threading to earn a living. In one revelatory scene a female prisoner dresses up and leaves her child behind with another to earn a few bucks. It is followed by Bindu delivering a passionate defence for mothers forced into prostitution in prisons. It's this didactic approach to a significant issue that hurts Qaidi Band despite its good intent. (more)
Source: Suhani singh, India Today
2.00
Ordinary film, extraordinary music
Most of the actors look drab except Anya Singh who charms us with her intensity in a couple of songs. Aadar Jain�s urbane attitude is probably more than what was required for such a role. But the actors can�t be squarely blamed for a lousy screenplay that keeps paving way for Habib Faisal�s not so subtle preaching on �unity in diversity�. Not stating the obvious could have made the film appear more serious(more)
Source: Rohit Vats, Hindustan Times
3.00
Aadar Jain Is Chip Off The Kapoor Block But It's Anya Jain Who Dominates
Qaidi Band zeroes in on one such bunch of no-hopers who get to form a band for an I-Day concert in the jail. When the anthemic number they play - "I am India" - goes viral, their popularity soars. But instead of working to their advantage, their newfound fame makes them fair game for a cynical politician who wants them to remain imprisoned so that he can use their growing mass appeal to garner votes in an upcoming election.(more)
Source: saibal chatterjee, NDTV Movies
1.50
Moronic take on real events
Faisal never expounds on the psychology of these detainees let alone source of their strength or revolt. It's impossible to sympathise or take his whitewashed version of the truth seriously. In the face of such overwhelming looniness, it's commendable how earnest Anya Singh remains even after Qaidi Band does everything to undermine her efforts.(more)
Source: Sukanya Verma, Rediff.com
2.50
Movie Review
Director Habib Faisal intends to highlight a social issue (plight of the undertrials), musically here. His thought is noble and taps an uncharted topic but the execution looks naive, dated and a classic case of wishful thinking. The songs are situationally strong but forgettable to listen to. The righteous treatment makes the film look unrealistic as you don't feel for the characters or their situation.(more)
Source: Renuka Vyavahare, Times Of India
3.00
Anya Singh is the true blue rockstar of Habib Faisal's musical
Habib Faisal, who has directed earlier YRF ventures like Do Dooni Char and Ishaqzaade, meddles with a new genre and achieves success to a great extent. He is also the writer of the film which is why he should be given a pat on his back. The writing comes across as fresh and even makes bad actors (like the lead star) look convincing. He has also paid great attention to detail, as evident by minor props like a plastic bucket being used to serve dal to the under-trials and a school bus being used to ferry the undertrials for an unoffical parole.(more)
Source: Devansh Sharma, Firstpost.com
3.00
Earnest Performances & Fantastic Direction Makes This Film A Must Watch
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).(more)
Source: Satish Sundaresan , Koimoi
3.00
This band strikes all the right chords
Qaidi Band is way above in its treatment. It is unbelievable to see a film like this with such talented debutants. Aadar Jain, who faced a lot of criticism even before the release of his first film for being a Ranbir Kapoor lookalike, has come fully prepared. He is too good for his debut and doesn't look he is a newcomer. He is raw, natural and spontaneous, but it is Anya Singh who just steals the show. She is even better than a lot of established actresses we have in the industry currently. A big pat on Aditya Chopra's back for spotting such a talent and backing them with a good film too.(more)
Source: ROHIT BHATNAGAR, Deccan Chronicle
