DNA India was one of the more positive critics, calling the film a beautiful visual experience and praising the cast, particularly Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan, while recommending viewers enjoy its spectacle rather than overanalyse it.

Hindustan Times found Kalank gorgeous but emotionally hollow, praising Madhuri Dixit and the visual design while criticising its theatrical storytelling, shallow politics and lack of soul.

Koimoi was extremely negative, calling the screenplay lousy, the storytelling boring and the film a major waste of its talented cast, with the visuals providing its only substantial strength.

BollywoodLife enjoyed the film overall, praising its grand presentation and performances, particularly Varun Dhawan, while identifying its excessive length as the major drawback.

Bollywood Hungama called it a visually spectacular but soulless film, strongly criticising the story, screenplay, direction, length and music despite appreciating Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt.

News18’s Rajeev Masand found Kalank tiring and disappointing, saying its talented cast and beautiful presentation are let down by a script that needed to be much sharper.

Filmibeat found the film disappointing despite its impressive cast and beautiful presentation, saying the weak story prevents the ambitious production from working effectively.

Times of India responded positively to the film’s grandeur, performances and emotional moments, calling it a labour of love, although it felt a tighter edit would have considerably improved the experience.

India Today found Kalank visually magnificent but painfully boring, criticising its shallow treatment of love, weak writing and thin plot while praising the lead performances.

The Indian Express strongly disliked the film, finding it ponderous, lifeless and far too long, with its spectacular sets unable to compensate for the lack of emotional impact.