Indianexpress.com's film critic Shubhra Gupta gave Bharat a two and a half star rating. She wrote, "It’s a pity that the director-star duo don’t take this as far as they could. They had a story which had the potential to become a solid reckoner of post-Independence nation-building, and how things rolled from then on, and a free hand to craft it. But the opportunity is squandered in unnecessary songs and dances, an aiming-for-cheap-laughs comic thread which involves making a stutterer the butt of jokes, and improbable situations: want to meet Hindi-film-song-loving-sea-pirates? Step right up."
"The good thing about the film, despite its eye-roll moments, is the underlining it does of a nation which belongs to us all. Vilayati, played excellently by Grover, is a Muslim. The dialogue may be over-the-top but it takes us back to the time when pan-Indian films would speak fearlessly about ‘dosti’ and ‘bhaichara’ amongst sworn enemies, about how people are the same everywhere, and that the Partition hasn’t divided ‘dils’ which still beat for each other. Yes, it’s all very Bajrangi Bhaijaan, and all very ‘filmi’, haha, but who doesn’t love the idea of long-separated loved ones being reunited? Treacle it may be, but the tears are real. And moving: my eyes were moist, even when I knew I was being played," she added.
Shaikh Ayaz writes, "The film plays out like a three-hour-long “Being Human” advertisement, telling us how good Bharat is and how he is a metaphor for India itself."
Also read | Bharat is yet another Salman Khan film designed singularly to flatter the ‘Bhaijaan’ mythology
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Bharat director Ali Abbas Zafar shared in a statement recently, "We always wanted to make a film for the entire country to come and celebrate the spirit of Eid and the first day only validates our intent and effort to make a film that India can be truly entertained by."
@CrookBond_D tweeted, "Today in all probability #Bharat gonna touch 100cr. Everywhere it is rocking ????."
"#Bharat has what we fans want, An actor Salman Khan who gave one of his best performance as Bharat, Family audiences will love this movie, its one of the best movie of Salman Khan in this decade," tweeted @Mykey_.
"#Bharat is roaring high in Single screens all over India today again, such is the craze even with drama oriented movie ! Third day will give us idea about its lifetime," tweeted @RahulVerma4860.
@awesomehabibi tweeted, "Finally watched #Bharat & can't imagine why people are hating on the film. It's amazing. Comedy, family drama, emotions that will make u cry, good music and ofcourse Salman Khan & Katrina in never seen roles. Ignore the haters. Go watch it & take your family with u. #eidmubarak."
Siddharth Mathur wrote on Twitter, "NO Drop In Friday Morning Shows Of #BHARAT , Advance Booking is also good. Expect Good Numbers on Friday too."
Sumit Kadel tweeted, "#Bharat Friday- Morning occupancy same as Thursday, no DROP. Advance for the day is decent. Family audience flow would come after noon shows. Strong Day-3 on cards."
@Akter77Tania tweeted, "#Bharat A complete entertainer journey of a ordinary men and his extraordinarily life. It’s a treat to watch#Katrina & @BeingSalmanKhan & their astonishing performance. Please go & watch with ur family??."
Ramesh Bala tweeted, "Bharat is expected to see an upward trend over the weekend. @BeingSalmanKhan @SKFilmsOfficial @aliabbaszafar @atulreellife @TSeries @itsBhushanKumar."
@JhallaParinda tweeted, "Bharat is a Hindi film entertainer of the genre that is dying, unfortunately. It makes you laugh, it makes you cry. It entertains you. Everything is larger thn life. I grew up watching melodramatic films of Sunny Deol, Amitabh B., Vinod K, Dharmendra, Sanjay Dutt. So, I loved it."
Ramesh Bala wrote on his Twitter account, "With a record setting day 1 collections, day two continues to be euphoric. Early box office reports suggest that @BeingSalmanKhan starrer #Bharat will see a minor drop between the range of 25-30% on day two which is expected on a working day."
"#Bharat Sallu Bhai 's best after Bhajrangi bhaijaan ..."paisa vasoool" ?? #SunilGrover ..what a role ..what a performance.. @aliabbaszafar thanks for hat trick damakkas? worth watching," tweeted @sanviratDHO.
"#Bharat puts up a big total on Day 2 [working day after #Eid holiday]... Plexes saw normal decline, while single screens held fort... Saw excellent occupancy in evening/night shows... Overall, 2-day total is superb... Wed 42.30 cr, Thu 31 cr. Total: ? 73.30 cr. India biz," Taran Adarsh wrote on his Twitter account.
@LoyalSalmanFan1 tweeted, "#Bharat is performing way better than the expectations of haters as well as some fans today.The reason behind this solid hold is the beauty of film that is turning into the large numbers supported by family audiences. If all goes well then we’ll have another 30+ day in addition."
@Rahulrautwrites tweeted, "#Bharat disappoints, but thankfully not like #Race3 and #Tubelight... It's an average film which can be escaped if you are not a Salman or Katrina fan. The film has opened huge due to the Salman Khan and Eid factor but it won't be a Lambi Race Ka Ghoda at the box office for sure!"
Siddharth Mathur wrote on his Twitter account, "#Bharat getting Extra Ordinary response from single screens today ! HUGE."
"Great action!! #SalmanKhan Film. Film includes,Entertainment, love and Sacrifice- What a film!! Again Salman Khan Nailed it. @aliabbaszafar #BharatReview #Bharat @Bharat_TheFilm @BeingSalmanKhan @DishPatani @WhoSunilGrover @SKFilmsOfficial, " wrote Anupama Raag on her Twitter account.
Journalist Himesh Mankad tweeted, "Seems like another Rs 30 crore plus day for #Bharat at the Box-Office. The family audience has come out to see the film today at mass belts in India. Even the cities are holding well on it's second day. Stay tuned for early estimate by late evening."
Ashish Merkhed tweeted, "@WhoSunilGrover Your role as “Vilayati” is too good and shows how true friends required in our life. @Bharat_TheFilm @BeingSalmanKhan #Bharat."
"Friday will be acid test for #Bharat ... if it passes this crucial test its gonna be a big hit," film distributor and trade analyst Raj Bansal said via Twitter.
Film trade analyst Girish Johar tweeted, "A little more than expected... around 30% fall in Day 2 BO for #Bharat... still long weekend ahead #EarlyTrends @BeingSalmanKhan #KatrinaKaif @DishPatani @WhoSunilGrover @aliabbaszafar"
Saqib Saleem wrote on Twitter, "Congratulations to bhai @BeingSalmanKhan and the whole team of #Bharat on the great opening, hearing a lot of amazing things!! Will definitely watch it as soon as I get a day off!! #KatrinaKaif #Tabu @aliabbaszafar @bindasbhidu @DishPatani @WhoSunilGrover @itsBhushanKumar"
Film trade analyst and critic Sumit Kadel wrote on Twitter, "#Bharat Day 2- holding quite well today after matnee shows both at big cities & mass belts. Thursday Collection is heading towards ? 25 cr nett+, if night shows holds well then film would mint ? 30 cr nett."
Film trade analyst Ramesh Bala posted on Twitter, "Early Estimates for #Bharat on Day 2 is around ? 30 Crs.. Excellent hold on a Working day.."