The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang Tamil Movie Review: A Quirky, Chaotic Crime Saga with Heart
The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang (Sambhava Vivaranam Nalara Sangham), a 2025 Malayalam web series streaming on SonyLIV, is a darkly comic crime drama directed by National Award winner Krishand. Premiering on August 29, 2025, and available in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Malayalam, the six-episode saga follows a gang of misfits from Thiruvanchipuram (a fictionalized Thiruvananthapuram) as they navigate power, betrayal, and chaos.
Plot and Themes
At the center is Arikuttan (Sanju Sivaram), a small-time crook who, in 2018, hires writer Maithreyan (Jagadish) to pen his biography. Through flashbacks to the 1990s and 2000s, we see how he and his ragtag “4.5 Gang”—Kanji (Sreenath Babu), Maniyan (Shambhu Menon), Althaf (Niranj Maniyanpilla Raju), and Moonga (Sachin Joseph, whose dwarfism earns the “.5” tag)—rise from petty hustlers to players in the city’s flower and milk trades.
Their ambitions to run the local temple festival bring them into conflict with dangerous figures like Bruce Lee (Prasanth Alexander), Pyelakuttan (Vishnu Agasthya), and the ruthless matriarch Ramani (Darshana Rajendran). The series uses unreliable narration, non-linear storytelling, and meta-humor, blurring truth and fiction. Themes of friendship, class struggle, and the search for dignity run throughout, though the chaotic narrative and unanswered questions may test viewers who prefer tighter storytelling.
Performances
The ensemble cast injects life into the gang’s quirks and flaws:
Sanju Sivaram balances swagger and vulnerability as Arikuttan, a dreamer turned gangster.
Jagadish shines as Maithreyan, his witty narration adding a playful, meta edge.
Sreenath Babu (Kanji) and Shambhu Menon (Maniyan) deliver memorable, eccentric performances.
Prasanth Alexander and Vishnu Agasthya make their villains both menacing and darkly funny.
Darshana Rajendran’s Ramani is chilling, though underused—reflecting the series’ broader issue of sidelined female characters.
The authentic Trivandrum slang and naturalistic acting give the series grit and relatability, much like Tamil cinema’s raw gangster sagas.
Direction and Writing
Krishand brings his trademark mix of satire and grit, painting Thiruvanchipuram as both real and surreal. His bold use of split screens, comic-book panels, and mythological references sets the show apart visually. The writing is sharp and packed with wit, but the narrative occasionally meanders—especially in side plots like Maniyan’s musical aspirations—slowing momentum.
Unlike many gangster dramas, this series doesn’t glorify crime; instead, it satirizes the gang’s overblown ambitions, portraying them as both dangerous and ridiculous. This tonal tightrope makes it unique but uneven.
Technical Aspects
Cinematography by Vishnu Prabhakar captures the city’s grime and chaos with vivid style.
Music by Sooraj Santhosh and Varkey mixes folk, rock, and metal to match the show’s wild energy.
Editing keeps the complex non-linear structure coherent, though prolonged action sequences sometimes drag.
Production design is rooted in Kerala’s local culture, giving authenticity that Tamil audiences will find both fresh and familiar.
Social Relevance and Impact
The series tackles class disparity, systemic neglect, and urban power struggles, resonating with Tamil audiences who connect with socially conscious narratives. Its humor and friendship dynamics echo the camaraderie of Tamil gangster sagas. However, the limited space given to female characters and the narrative clutter are noticeable drawbacks.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
Quirky humor and sharp writing
Strong performances from Sanju Sivaram, Jagadish, and the ensemble
Bold, inventive direction with striking visuals
Local authenticity and socio-political bite
Weaknesses:
Overcrowded plot with too many subplots
Uneven pacing that slows in parts
Female characters underutilized
Final Verdict
The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang is a chaotic, funny, and socially sharp gangster tale. While it isn’t flawless, its mix of dark comedy, inventive direction, and heartfelt performances makes it one of the more unique Malayalam series of recent years.
For Tamil audiences, it’s a bold and entertaining binge on SonyLIV, offering a wild ride through crime, comedy, and chaos.
Rating: 3.5/5
Streaming Platform: Sonyliv