[2] The music video features actress Alia Bhatt as Sehmat Khan, explaining why she choose to become a spy for India.

[4] Firstpost, an Indian news and media website, wrote: "'Ae Watan' celebrates the true spirit of patriotism – where one places one's motherland before anything, even oneself".

[6] He further added "Ae Watan appeals to the hardened cynics from both sides of the ideological centre; it reminds us that patriotism isn't necessarily a bad thing, all the while showing the price we pay for it".

[6] Priyanka Vartak of The Free Press Journal wrote that: "[Arijit Singh] his soulful voice will surely give you goosebumps".

[7] Ehsaan Noorani commented that people upload "at least two-three cover versions" of the song via social media platforms.