Upon release,
Tanu Weds Manu: Returns garnered widespread critical acclaim, with Ranaut's performance receiving particular praise. On the Indian film review aggregator website The Review Monk,
Tanu Weds Manu: Returns received an average score of 7.3/10 based on 43 reviews and 94% critics being in the favor. On the
review aggregator website
Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a score of 64% based on 11 reviews and an
average rating of 7.2/10. at the
63rd National Film Awards.
India Stutee Ghosh of
The Quint gave the film a rating of 5/5 and wrote, ‘‘
Tanu Weds Manu Returns is gob-smackingly good; It is a laugh riot and keeps you engaged till the end’’. Praising Ranaut's performance she further wrote, ‘‘In an industry where a ‘‘double – role” entails merely sporting two different shades of lipstick, Kangana is a delight to watch. Both as the madcap Tanu and the short haired, freckled Haryanvi Datto, she is incredible’’. Srijana Mitra Das of
Times of India gave the film a rating of 4.5/5 and wrote, ‘‘
Tanu Weds Manu Returns is a total delight that keeps you laughing, sighing, cheering and guessing throughout’’. Praising Ranaut's performance she further wrote, ‘‘
Tanu Weds Manu Returns boasts one of the finest double roles ever in Hindi cinema; Kangana is breathtakingly good, both as doll-like drama queen Tanu and simple, dignified, earthy Kusum. Each role is performed with sensitivity, precision and flair, Kangana displaying the confidence of a talent Queen’’.
Rajeev Masand of
CNN-IBN gave the film a rating of 4/5 and praised Ranaut's performance by writing, ‘‘
Tanu Weds Manu Returns is no doubt a showcase for the immense talent of Ranaut, who sinks her teeth into this ‘double-role’ challenge, and creates two strikingly different characters; The actress makes you care for both characters. Watch this film for Kangana Ranaut, who's at the top of her game’’.
Anupama Chopra of
Film Companion gave the film a rating of 4/5 and praised Ranaut's performance by writing, ‘‘Watching Kangana Ranaut in
Tanu Weds Manu Returns is like watching an athlete at the top of her game — consummate skill with effortless grace. As both the rebel without a cause, Tanu, and the Haryanvi sportswoman Kusum, Kangana is pitch-perfect. The film rests on Kangana’s shoulders and she carries it with her Herculean talent’’. Sweta Kaushal of
Hindustan Times gave the film a rating of 4/5 and called it an "entertainer" and a "must-watch". Praising Ranaut's performance she wrote, ‘‘Kangana has done a fabulous job with her characters Tanu and Datto; From the body languages of the two women to their accents, Kangana aces it to the T. She proves yet again that she is one of the few heroines in Bollywood who is willing to experiment with different roles and still come out as the most convincing every time’’. Ananya Bhattacharya of
India Today gave the film a rating of 4/5 and wrote, ‘‘
Tanu Weds Manu Returns deserves a watch for the sheer brilliance that it is, and the way Kangana has nailed her roles’’. Praising Ranaut's performance she further wrote, ‘‘Kangana carries the film on her able shoulders, reminding one why the actress is among the most sought-after ones in the industry today. Ranaut infuses her Tanu with a rare charm and as far as Kusum is concerned, the actress does a mind-blowing job of getting the Haryanvi girl pitch-perfect. Never for a moment is one allowed the opportunity to think that it is one actress cast in dual roles in the film’’.
Bollywood Hungama gave the film a rating of 4/5 called it a ‘‘must-watch’’. They wrote, ‘‘
Tanu Weds Manu Returns is a must watch, especially for Kangana's spellbinding performance, outstanding plot and amazing one-liners’’. They called Ranaut's performance in the film her ‘‘career-best’’ and further wrote, ‘‘The undisputed captain of the ship is Kangana Ranaut, who delivers a career best performance. Her performance in the film is definitely award worthy. She really knows how to carry the film on her shoulders; The impact of her roles is so significant that you just cannot imagine any other actress in her role’’. Sukanya Verma of
Rediff gave the film a rating of 4/5 and called Ranaut a ‘‘powerhouse’’. Praising her performance she wrote, ‘‘As Datto her body language, which alternates between assertive and serene depending on the surrounding, and the sureness with which she rattles off her mother tongue is nothing short of flawless and as Tanu the talented star's calibre shines through in her understanding of a wife's thinly veiled manipulations that are but an attempt to restore what she haughtily believes to be rightly hers. Kangana, the powerhouse makes it difficult to pick a side’’.
Saibal Chatterjee of
NDTV gave the film a rating of 3.5/5 and called it a ‘‘entertaining’’ and ‘‘engaging’’ film. Praising Ranaut's performance he wrote, ‘‘Kangana Ranaut, in a magnificently effective double role, powers the comic drama forward with an effortless act. The film vindicates the general belief that Kangana is currently in a zone where she can do no wrong; On one hand she is the bubbly and recklessly rebellious Tanu and on the other she embodies the no-nonsense persona of Datto, The actress fleshes out this pair of distinct individuals with such energy and finesse that it becomes difficult at times to tell that it is the same actress playing the two roles. In one word, astounding’’. Manjusha Patil of
Koimoi gave the film a rating of 3.5/5 and wrote, ‘‘This is a real Desi rom com with a slightly quirky touch. It will leave a big smile on your face as you leave the theatre’’. Praising Ranaut's performance she further wrote, ‘‘This film belongs to Kangana Ranaut; This is another stellar performance by her after
Queen (2014)’’. Sarita Tanwar of
DNA gave the film a rating of 3.5/5 and called its dialogues ‘‘great’’, its characters ‘‘endearing’’ and the performances ‘‘top class’’. She called Ranaut the ‘‘crowning glory’’ of the film and wrote, ‘‘The film’s crowning glory is Kangana who betters herself with every film she does. This time, as Tanu, she gets to do much more in terms of diversity. But her portrayal of Kusum steals the show this time. Heartwarming, honest and edgy, Kangana as Kusum is the life of the film; Watch this film for the one-woman-show of Kangana Ranaut’’.
Shubhra Gupta of
The Indian Express gave the film a rating of 3/5 and praised Ranaut's performance by writing, ‘‘Kangana Ranaut plays it beautifully, mixing up the familiar with the new. I would buy a ticket for her’’. Anuj Kumar of
The Hindu wrote, ‘‘Known for creating a tangible atmosphere of small town, the team once again hit the ground running and doesn’t leave the audience’s pulse for even a moment’’. Calling Ranaut's performance in the film ‘‘gutsy’’ he further wrote, ‘‘Carrying forward her good form, it is a double delight from Kangana as she brilliantly delineates both the characters. She gives each of them a distinct identity which goes much deeper than the haircut and artificial dentures. It is her gutsy performance that prevents the film from getting reduced to a frivolous comedy’’. Rachit Gupta of
Filmfare called
Tanu Weds Manu Returns a ‘‘intricately designed’’ and a ‘‘well crafted’’ film. Praising Ranaut's performance he wrote, ‘‘Kangana Ranaut’s performance as both Tanu and Kusum is so enchanting that you can hardly see past her. She owns this film and she delivers it in five star fashion; The film is another fine feather in Kangana Ranaut’s flourishing hat’’. Ajit Duara of
Open named
Tanu Weds Manu Returns as the ‘‘funniest movie of the year’’ and praised Ranaut's performance by writing, ‘‘What Ranaut cleverly does with this double role is to demarcate feminine and masculine characteristics in women; Both women are attractive, but in different ways. This is a complex portrait of a woman’s persona and sexuality, and Ranaut has delivered it beautifully through a hilarious comedy of manners’’. Mihir Fadnavis of
Firstpost called the film a ‘‘crowd pleaser’’ and praised Ranaut's performance by writing, ‘‘The real draw of
Tanu Weds Manu Returns is that you get two Kangana Ranauts to entertain you, and she delivers in a huge way. Both her avatars are likeable’’.
Overseas Prarthna Sarkar of
International Business Times gave the film a rating of 4.5/5 and wrote, ‘‘To make a sequel better than its prequel is a tough challenge, but director Aanand. L. Rai aces it’’. Calling Ranaut the ‘‘star of the show’’ he further wrote, ‘‘Kangana is the star of the show. Unmistaken accent, perfect gait and subtle expressions, the leading lady's portrayal of Datto and Tanu is praiseworthy’’. Faiza S Khan of
The Guardian gave the film a rating of 4/5 and called it a ‘‘unusually spiky Bollywood romcom’’. Praising Ranaut's performance she wrote, ‘‘Kangana Ranaut shines in this entertaining and slightly unconventional look at marriage which takes swipes at
elitism and potshots at
patriarchy’’. Manjari Saxena of
Gulf News gave the film a rating of 3.5/5 and described it as a ‘‘hilarious journey’’. Praising Ranaut's performance he wrote, ‘‘Ranaut portrays gamut of emotions brilliantly in her double role as the wife who feels wronged and the practical but young girl in love. The National Award winning actress nabs Datto’s tomboyish and rustic demeanour with the same elan as the stylish and sexy Tanu; The
Queen actress is clearly here to rule’’. Shilpa Jamkhandikar of
Reuters praised Ranaut's performance in the film by writing, ‘‘Kangana Ranaut walks away with the entire film, playing both Tanu and Kusum with panache, in what is probably the defining female performance of 2015’’.
Year-end lists Sukanya Verma of
Rediff cited
Tanu Weds Manu Returns as one of the best Hindi films of 2015.
Times of India listed it as one of the best films of 2015.
The Hindu listed it as one of the people's choice best Hindi movies of 2015.
Film Companion listed Ranaut's performance in the film among the 100 greatest performances of the decade (2010s).
Deccan Chronicle listed Ranaut as one of the 11 powerful Bollywood actresses of 2015. Gayatri Gauri of
Firstpost listed both the characters Ranaut portrayed in the film (Tanu and Datto) as one of the best female characters of the year 2015.
Raja Sen of
Rediff named Ranaut's character in the film, Datto, as one of the most memorable Bollywood characters of 2015. Suresh Mathew of
The Quint listed Ranaut's character in the film, Datto, as one of the most endearing and loveable characters from Bollywood films of 2015.
Filmfare listed both the characters Ranaut portrayed in the film (Tanu and Datto) as one of the strongest women characters in Bollywood. ==Box office==