Aathi learns that his friend who is getting married in 3 days was actually in love with someone else and that his marriage was his father’s alliance with a wealthy family to pay off his debt through dowry.

[5] "Solakattu Bommai" is loosely inspired from Vidyasagar's Malayalam song "Chinga Masam" in Meesa Madhavan.

[citation needed] Sify wrote, "There is no redeeming factor as even the music of Vidyasagar is not placed well and stands out most of the time".

The reviewer criticised Silambarasan for imitating Rajinikanth in many scenes and felt Trisha was wasted, but appreciated Vivek's comedy, concluding, "All in all Alai is an insufferable dud".

[6] BizHat noted, "with a wafer thin storyline the director attempts to stretch ones patience with so called humour and Trisha roaming in skimpy dresses".

[7] Mokkarasu of Kalki called Vivek's comedy the only relief and felt the old plot did not have any newness in presentation and the dramatic climax without any major twists reminds of 1960s films.

He concluded saying director's formula of four songs, four fights, little bit of comedy is outdated and advised him to better concentrate on script hereafter.

[8] S. R. Ashok Kumar from The Hindu noted that "the youthful exploits of Silambarasan, the glamour of Trisha and the winsome music of Vidyasagar fail to do the trick, for the simple reason that the film lacks a taut screenplay with well-knit episodes".