The film is supposedly based on Parveen Babi's life, her battle with schizophrenia and her relationship with Mahesh Bhatt to whom she was a lover as well as a mentor in his struggling days.

Parveen Babi's character is played by Ranaut who is named Sana Azim in the film to avoid direct reference to the actress.

As Aditya waits outside of the ICU alongside his friend Sam (Purab Kohli), praying to be reunited with her, he has a flashback of moments spent with her three years ago.

When Aditya realizes that the only way he can save Sana from total devastation is to take her away from Bollywood and the vested interests that threaten to destroy her completely, he kidnaps her from the hospital, thus putting his career on the line.

She is a hugely expressive actress with a phemomenal ability to convey torment, hurt and incredulity through the eyes, Kangana is the first female performer of Bollywood since Smita Patil and Shabana Azmi who isn't scared to strip her soul naked for the camera’’.

[4] Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama gave the film a rating of 3.5 (out of 5) and called it a ‘‘cinematic experience’’.

[6] Rajeev Masand in his review wrote, ‘‘Woh Lamhe is impressive in the manner in which it straddles a mainstream sensibility with such rare understanding; Remember to carry a handkerchief, or you’ll embarrass yourself with your tears’’.

These actors pump life into their roles and together with Pritam’s soothing score they make Woh Lamhe an experience that’s hard to forget’’.

[7] Anupama Chopra of India Today wrote, ‘‘Woh Lamhe holds interest because it has a taut script and fine performances’’.

[9] Filmfare listed Woh Lamhe... as one of the ten movies of Ranaut that showcased her class as an actor.

They wrote, ‘‘Playing a schizophrenic, Kangana accurately depicted the trauma of the actress as her personal life went down the dumps along with her career’’.

[11] Koimoi listed Woh Lamhe... as one of the ten film which will lose their charm without Ranaut's presence.

Pritam was accused of plagiarism by copying the tunes "Kya Mujhe Pyaar Hai" which was allegedly lifted from "Tak Bisakah " by Noah,[15] and "Tu Jo Nahin" from a ghazal by Pakistani singer S. B. John sung in 1959 Pakistani film - Savera; however, later the credits were given to the original artists and some of the tunes were recreated in musical arrangements.

[citation needed] KK, Shreya Ghoshal, Jawad Ahmed, Kunal Ganjawala, and Glenn John lent their voices for the album.