However, this has drawn criticism. Critics argue that these scenes reduce the Tamil diaspora to a caricature of hedonism, ignoring the actual struggles of immigrants. Moreover, the "spice" is often male-gazey, with heroines required to perform the "exotic other" even when they play Indian characters. The top lifestyle on display—Lamborghinis, Moët, minimalist lofts—is rarely earned organically in the plot; it is simply gifted by the location.

Gen Z has rediscovered these scenes as ironic memes. A clip of a hero sliding down a brass pole while holding a revolver, or a heroine spraying whipped cream on a villain’s face, is now shared with sarcastic captions. This digital afterlife has kept the "South Babilona" keyword alive for nearly two decades.