The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang Review reveals Krishand’s exceptional Malayalam crime comedy series that premiered on SonyLIV in August 2025. This unique streaming series combines gangster drama with dark comedy, delivering an unconventional take on organized crime in Thiruvananthapuram.
Every week brings new OTT releases, but The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang Review stands out with its innovative storytelling approach. After watching this experimental series, our complete analysis reveals why it’s earning critical acclaim across platforms.
Movie Details Table
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| 🎬 Series Name | The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang |
| 📅 Release Date | August 29, 2025 |
| ⭐ Star Cast | Sanju Sivram, Darshana Rajendran, Jagadish |
| 🎥 Creator/Director | Krishand |
| 🎶 Music Director | Sooraj/Varkey |
| 🕒 Episode Count | 6 Episodes |
| 🎬 Trailer | Available on SonyLIV |
| 📱 OTT Platform | SonyLIV |
| 📺 Language | Malayalam (with subtitles) |
| 🏆 Our Rating | 4/5 Stars |
Cast & Characters – The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang Review
Main Cast
- Sanju Sivram as Arikuttan: The charismatic leader whose narration drives the entire series
- Darshana Rajendran as Ramani: The powerful woman who stands against the gang
- Jagadish as Mythreyan: The writer documenting their story
- Niranj Maniyanpilla Raju as Althaf: Core gang member with compelling character development
Supporting Cast
- Sreenath Babu – Kanji (Gang member)
- Shambhu – Key gang member
- Sachin Joseph – Gang member
- Santhy Balachandran – Kingini (Arikuttan’s girlfriend)
- Zarin Shihab – Pranitha
- Vijayaraghavan – Music Director Vamshi Anand
- Rahul Rajagopal – SI Suresh
- Zhinz Shan – SI Stalin
Cast Verdict: The ensemble delivers authentic performances with perfect Trivandrum dialect execution.
Trailer Analysis – The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang Review
Trailer Highlights:
✅ Showcases Krishand’s signature dark comedy style
✅ Gives glimpse of the crime-comedy blend without major spoilers
✅ Demonstrates the unique mockumentary approach
✅ Features compelling background score and visuals
✅ Builds anticipation for the unconventional gangster narrative
Trailer Verdict: Successfully establishes the series’ unique tone and experimental approach.
OTT Release Details
- Streaming Platform: SonyLIV
- Release Date: August 29, 2025
- Subscription: Available with SonyLIV subscription
- Languages: Malayalam with subtitles
- Episode Format: 6-episode series
The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang Story Review
The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang Review revolves around five protagonists from Thiruvananthapuram slums who venture into organized crime, starting with flower mafia around temples. The narrative unfolds through Arikuttan’s perspective as he recounts their journey to writer Mythreyan.
What Works: The mockumentary format keeps audiences engaged throughout. Each episode builds momentum while exploring socio-economic factors that shaped this gang’s evolution.
Story Strength: The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang Review delivers unexpected narrative twists. Character development feels authentic, avoiding typical gangster clichés. Krishand’s screenplay brilliantly elevates what could have been a slow documentary into compelling entertainment.
The plot examines how these C-class gangsters monopolized milk and flower markets, experiencing everything from jail sentences to physical attacks. Their rise wasn’t without consequences, making The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang Review a realistic portrayal of crime’s impact.
Performance Analysis – The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang Review
Lead Performances:
- Sanju Sivram: Delivers career-defining performance as Arikuttan, mastering the narrator role
- Darshana Rajendran: Shines as the only woman who confronts the gang directly
- Jagadish: Excellent as the writer character, adding layers to the meta-narrative
Supporting Cast: Niranj Maniyanpilla Raju, Sreenath Babu, and the entire ensemble add authentic depth. Veterans like Indrans and Vijayaraghavan excel in their character portrayals.
Acting Verdict: The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang Review features impeccable performances with natural Trivandrum slang delivery that elevates the material significantly.
Technical Aspects – Music & Cinematography
Music Score:
- Background music by Sooraj/Varkey complements the dark comedy perfectly
- Sound design enhances the mockumentary atmosphere
- Music integrates seamlessly with narrative flow
Visual Treatment:
- Cinematographer Vishnu Prabhakar captures Thiruvananthapuram authentically
- Direction maintains engaging pace throughout six episodes
- Editing by Sasikumar creates seamless timeline transitions
Technical Rating: 4/5 stars for exceptional production values that support Krishand’s vision.
The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang Review – What Works
✅ Exceptional performances from entire cast with authentic dialect work
✅ Innovative storytelling through mockumentary format
✅ Engaging narrative that subverts gangster genre stereotypes
✅ Dark comedy perfectly balanced with serious themes
✅ Strong direction showcasing Krishand’s cinematic mastery
✅ Compelling character arcs for all major players
✅ Authentic portrayal of Kerala’s socio-political landscape
✅ Excellent production values across all technical departments
Areas for Improvement
❌ Limited female character development beyond Darshana Rajendran’s role
❌ Underutilization of talented actresses like Zarin Shihab
❌ Complex narrative structure might challenge casual viewers
❌ Regional dialect could need subtitles for broader appeal
Final Verdict – The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang Review 2025
Bottom Line: The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang Review delivers exceptional entertainment that redefines the Malayalam crime genre.
Target Audience: Perfect for viewers seeking innovative storytelling and authentic regional cinema experiences.
Worth Watching? Absolutely! The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang Review justifies your streaming subscription and time investment.
Weekend Plans? Make this series your top choice for binge-watching entertainment.
OTT Worth? Definitely worth the SonyLIV subscription for this groundbreaking content.
Critics praise The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang Review as potentially the best Malayalam series yet, comparing it to classics like Gangs of Wasseypur and Vada Chennai. The series earned 8.0/10 on IMDb, reflecting strong audience appreciation.
The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang Review explores themes of survival, exploitation, and the hollowness of capitalism while maintaining entertainment value. Krishand’s direction ensures the fictional story remains anchored in Kerala’s socio-economic reality.
Rating & Recommendation
⭐ Our Final Rating: 4/5 Stars
Recommendation Level: Must Watch – The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang Review represents exceptional Malayalam web content
Where to Watch:
🎬 OTT Platform: Currently streaming on SonyLIV
📱 Availability: SonyLIV subscription required
🎥 Trailer: Available on SonyLIV platform