DNA India says the early rise of Raees is gripping and Shah Rukh performs strongly, but the film later becomes ordinary and works best for his fans.

Hindustan Times says Shah Rukh has strong screen presence and Nawazuddin gets the best lines, but weak writing and a crowded plot make the film disappointing.

Koimoi says the film delivers action, romance and drama as an enjoyable mass entertainer, with Shah Rukh in form and Nawazuddin again stealing scenes.

BollywoodLife says the film falls short of the powerful mass entertainer it could have been, while Nawazuddin repeatedly steals attention from Shah Rukh.

Pinkvilla finds Nawazuddin the strongest performer and praises Shah Rukh's presence, but feels the crime drama becomes ordinary and loses impact as it progresses.

Bollywood Hungama says the crime drama successfully mixes realism with commercial entertainment, led by powerful performances from Shah Rukh and Nawazuddin.

News18 says Shah Rukh commands attention and Nawazuddin provides a superb counterpoint. The film is overpacked and long, but offers enough strong moments to enjoy.

Filmibeat says Shah Rukh and Nawazuddin give strong performances, but weak writing, slow portions and an underwritten romance stop the film from reaching its potential.

The Times of India says Shah Rukh carries the film with anger and screen presence, while Nawazuddin is a strong match. The second half runs long but the film remains entertaining.

India TV News says Shah Rukh returns strongly as the intense gangster, while Nawazuddin again stands out. It works well as a mainstream Bollywood crime entertainer.