Critical reception
Poomaram received mixed reviews from critics.
Deepa Soman of The Times of India rated the film 3/5 stars and wrote that Poomaram "rides on the strength of a handful of playful moments from the campus and if that wouldn’t trouble you as a viewer, the movie merits your time." [21]
Meera Suresh of The New Indian Express rated the film 3/5 stars and wrote, "Poomaram isn't a please-all movie. It is rich in art, aesthetics and realism, but low in entertainment." [22]
Sowmya Rajendran of The News Minute wrote, "'Nice', they say, is a boring adjective that doesn't say much. And yet, it's this word that describes Poomaram best. This is a nice film with nice people and nice moments. The film doesn't aspire to rise above this and at times, the niceness may get boring. But with so many vibrant faces on screen, so many moments that trigger nostalgia, you get interested once again even if the film loses you in parts." [23]
Jyothisha V. J. of Onmanorama rated the film 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "An intensely delightful lyrical treat, Poomaram is a poetic bloom." [24]
Anna M. M. Vetticad of Firstpost wrote, "Poomaram is a delightfully experimental, contemplative college saga, far removed from the clichés, the ugly misogyny and loudness seen in too many campus films from Mollywood." [25]
Priyanka Sundar of Hindustan Times rated the film 3/5 stars and wrote, "This film was a good experience, but solely because of the music and screenplay. In terms of characters, they were very well-etched supporting characters (especially Kili and the Mohiniyattam teacher of Maharaja College). As there wasn’t enough scope to see Kalidasan perform, this might not have been his best choice for a debut." [26]
Navmi Krishna of The Hindu wrote, "But for all its freshness, Poomaram can not escape the trap of 'leaving the audience with a message' and pretentious preaching. ... Movies invoke different emotions — some invoke empathy, some aspiration. In Poomaram, however, you are both an emotionally invested viewer and one of the peripheral characters." [27]
Mythily Ramachandran of Gulf News wrote, "Poomaram celebrates college life and gently stirs up the nooks of nostalgia." [28]
