Chennai City Gangsters Movie Review: A Heist Comedy That Fumbles the Punchline
Chennai City Gangsters (2025), a Tamil comedy heist film directed by debutant duo Vikram Rajeshwar and Arun Keshav, attempts to deliver a lighthearted caper with a star-studded comedic ensemble. Starring Vaibhav Reddy, Athulya Ravi, Manikandan Rajesh, and a host of familiar Tamil comedians like Anandraj, Redin Kingsley, Mottai Rajendran, and John Vijay, the film promises a chaotic, laugh-filled ride through Chennai’s criminal underbelly. Released on June 20, 2025, it aims to blend slapstick humor, romance, and heist thrills in a Sundar C-style package. However, despite its talented cast and vibrant premise, Chennai City Gangsters falters with a weak script, outdated humor, and a lack of narrative grip, making it a middling entertainer that only sporadically delivers. Review explores the film’s highs, lows, and overall impact, drawing from critical and audience reactions.
Plot and Themes
The story follows Pandi (Vaibhav Reddy) and Poochi (Manikandan Rajesh), two bumbling thieves working under middleman Pasupathy (Livingston) for a shady leader, Saleem (Shihan Hussaini). Tasked with staging a fake robbery to facilitate an insurance scam, they lose a large sum of their boss’s money at a bar, landing them in hot water. Desperate to repay the debt, they team up with four eccentric ex-conmen: Split Soosai (Anandraj), plagued by a split personality triggered by sirens; Memory Das (Mottai Rajendran), who suffers from memory loss; Kudi Kumar (Sunil Reddy), an alcoholic; and Damar Lal (John Vijay), a compulsive talker. Together, this ragtag crew plans a bank heist to recover the lost cash, all while Pandi pines for his childhood crush, Jennifer (Athulya Ravi), whose family is caught in the crossfire.
The film’s premise—a comedy of errors centered on a botched heist—holds promise, with themes of redemption, loyalty, and the absurdity of chasing quick riches. However, the narrative struggles to move beyond its one-note gags, relying heavily on the quirks of its characters rather than a cohesive story. The romance between Pandi and Jennifer feels forced, with their “love-at-first-sight” arc lacking depth despite a childhood backstory. Critics note the film’s failure to explore the emotional scars of its ex-conmen, whose prison betrayal could have added complexity but is reduced to a fleeting sob story.
Performances
Vaibhav Reddy brings his signature charm to Pandi, delivering a few chuckle-worthy moments with his exasperated reactions to the gang’s antics. His comic timing, honed in films like Buffoon, shines in scenes like the bar brawl, but the script gives him little to work with beyond mooning over Jennifer. Manikandan Rajesh, as Poochi, complements Vaibhav with a laid-back vibe, though his role feels underdeveloped. Athulya Ravi’s Jennifer is a weak link, with her character reduced to a damsel-in-distress trope, limiting her impact despite a sincere effort.
The ensemble of comedians—Anandraj, Redin Kingsley, Mottai Rajendran, and John Vijay—carries the film’s comedic weight. Anandraj and Rajendran steal scenes with their exaggerated quirks, particularly in a fight sequence where Kingsley’s Netta yanks a beard for laughs. However, their one-dimensional characters, defined solely by quirks like deafness or memory loss, grow repetitive. Critics and praise the “comedy combo” for sporadic laughs but lament the underuse of such a talented cast. Supporting players like Livingston and Ilavarasu add familiarity but are sidelined by the chaotic script.
Direction and Technical Aspects
Directors Vikram Rajeshwar and Arun Keshav, making their debut, aim for a Sundar C-style comedy with chaotic situations and slapstick humor. While they succeed in creating a vibrant Chennai backdrop, the film feels like a “malfunctioning comedy cannon,” firing jokes without timing or impact. The first half shows promise with a quirky setup, but the second half devolves into repetitive gags and predictable twists, with the heist itself lacking tension or ingenuity. The 129-minute runtime, though shorter than contemporaries like Kuberaa, feels bloated due to unnecessary songs and subplots.
Technically, the film has bright spots. Tijo Tomy’s cinematography captures Chennai’s gritty streets and bustling underworld with slick visuals, adding energy to chase sequences. D. Imman’s music is a highlight, with tracks like Meyya Mummari and My Maima earning praise for their catchy beats, though the montage song Chillu Chillu feels misplaced. Suresh A. Prasad’s editing is functional but fails to tighten the pacing, with dragged-out scenes diluting the humor. Posts credit Imman’s BGM for “saving the film from flatlining,” but even this can’t salvage the uneven execution.
Strengths and Flaws
Chennai City Gangsters shines in its lighthearted intent and occasional bursts of humor, particularly in scenes where the gang’s quirks collide, like Netta’s beard-pulling escapade. The absence of vulgarity or double-entendre comedy is commendable, making it a family-friendly option. The film’s vibrant Chennai setting and Imman’s music add appeal, and its short runtime makes it an “easy watch” for genre fans.
However, the film’s flaws outweigh its strengths. The script is a major letdown, with critics calling it “half-baked” and “lost”. Jokes often rely on problematic humor, like a circus quip about short-statured characters, drawing criticism for insensitivity. The heist lacks stakes, and the romance subplot feels tacked on, with no emotional resonance. Reviews from Cinema Express and Times of India slam the film for treating the audience like “hostages to its half-baked jokes,” with a 2/5 rating reflecting its lack of grip. Only Kollywood offers a kinder 2.5/5, noting its “mildly funny” moments, but even they admit it’s a missed opportunity.
Audience and Critical Reception
Critical response is largely negative, with Times of India giving 2/5 and Cinema Express calling it a “comedy of errors minus the comedy”. Watchmoviesonline.in is an outlier, rating it 4/5 for its “thrilling ride” and engaging performances, though they acknowledge pacing issues. Posts echo this divide, with some calling it a “time-pass entertainer” (2.8/5 user rating on BookMyShow) while others label it a “scriptless chaos” with a 1.5/5 rating. Box office prospects are modest, overshadowed by bigger releases like Kuberaa and DNA on June 20, 2025.
Final Verdict
Chennai City Gangsters is a well-intentioned heist comedy that falls short due to a weak script, outdated humor, and lackluster execution. While Vaibhav, Anandraj, and Imman’s music provide fleeting entertainment, the film fails to capitalize on its talented cast or promising premise. For fans of slapstick and Sundar C-style chaos, it offers a few laughs, but those seeking a sharp, cohesive comedy will find it lacking. It’s a time-pass watch at best, better suited for a casual streaming session than a theatrical outing.
Rating: 2/5