The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang: Krishand’s Wild Ride Through Crime, Comedy, and Kerala Chaos
In the bustling underbelly of Thiruvanchipuram—a thinly veiled fictional stand-in for Thiruvananthapuram—five unlikely friends from the slums dream big: orchestrating their neighborhood temple festival to earn some respect. What follows is a whirlwind of milk rackets, flower mafias, betrayals, and blood-soaked ambitions in The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang (also known as Sambhava Vivaranam Nalarasangham), the latest web series from acclaimed Malayalam director Krishand. Premiering on SonyLIV on August 29, 2025, this six-episode crime comedy-drama has quickly become a talking point for its audacious blend of dark humor, unreliable narration, and sharp social commentary. Drawing from real-life incidents in Kerala’s capital, Krishand transforms a gritty gangster tale into a mockumentary-style romp that’s equal parts Gangs of Wasseypur and Pulp Fiction, but infused with Trivandrum slang and local quirks.
The series unfolds through dual timelines: the present-day 2018, where aging gangster Arikuttan (Sanju Sivram) hires eccentric writer Maithreyan (Jagadish) in Maharashtra to pen his biography, and flashbacks to the late 1990s and 2000s chronicling the gang’s rise. Arikuttan, along with his childhood buddies—hot-headed Kanji (Sreenath Babu), aspiring singer Maniyan (Shambhu), cautious Althaf (Niranj Maniyanpilla Raju), and the diminutive but cunning Moonga (Sachin Joseph, the “half” in 4.5)—start small, egged on by corrupt cop SI Suresh (Rahul Rajagopal). Their petty crimes escalate from schoolyard brawls to gold heists, temple flower syndicates, and all-out gang wars with rivals like the fearsome “Bruce Lee” (Prashanth Alexander). As Maithreyan embellishes the tale with dramatic flair, the line between fact and fiction blurs, poking fun at gangster myth-making while exposing the socio-political undercurrents of survival in Kerala’s margins.
Krishand, fresh off his feature Sangarsha Ghadana – Art of Warfare (released August 8, 2025), marks his OTT debut with a signature style that’s postmodern and irreverent. The non-linear structure, comic-book graphics, and sly meta-references—like renaming real places (Thiruvananthapuram to Thiruvanchipuram) to dodge legal woes—keep things fresh and playful. Sooraj Santhosh and Varkey’s eclectic score, mixing folk, rock, and metal, pairs perfectly with Vishnu Prabhakar’s vibrant cinematography and K. Sasikumar’s tight editing, turning even violent set pieces into absurd spectacles. The Trivandrum dialect is wielded like a weapon, fueling witty banter and cultural nods that ground the chaos in authenticity.
Strengths: A Gangster Epic with Heart and Humor
What elevates The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang is its refusal to glorify or condemn outright; instead, it mocks the macho myths of power while humanizing its flawed protagonists. The humor is bone-dry and relentless—jokes land in the midst of betrayals, and even bloody revenge feels like a punchline. Critics have hailed it as Malayalam cinema’s answer to epic gangster sagas, praising its emotional depth amid the absurdity. Sanju Sivram shines as Arikuttan, evolving from wide-eyed dreamer to swaggering thug with seamless charisma. Sreenath Babu’s unhinged Kanji steals scenes, while the ensemble—including veterans like Indrans, Vijayaraghavan, and Hakkim Shahjahan—delivers impeccable performances, nailing the slang and camaraderie. Darshana Rajendran’s late-entry vengeful Ramani adds a commanding edge, though female roles like Santhy Balachandran’s and Zarin Shihab’s feel underdeveloped.
Social commentary weaves through the laughs: the gang’s crimes stem from systemic neglect, highlighting slum life, corruption, and the flower/milk mafias tied to temple economies. As one review notes, it’s a “critique of how the state abandons its most vulnerable,” wrapped in irony. On X (formerly Twitter), viewers echo this, with one user calling it a “fresh and interesting” take on mob life, complete with real Trivandrum inspirations like an ATM robbery. Ratings average 3.5-4/5 across platforms, with IMDb users lauding the “wholesome package of emotions, revenge, brotherhood, action, betrayal, romance & nostalgic events.”
Weaknesses: Pacing Hiccups and Underutilized Elements
Not everything clicks perfectly. The first episode builds slowly, immersing viewers in the world but risking impatience. Mid-season subplots—like Maniyan’s musical dreams and a Tamil gang feud—drag, diluting momentum before tying back in. Female characters, despite stellar talent, are often sidelined as love interests or archetypes, a missed opportunity in an otherwise bold narrative. Some accents feel uneven, and the over-reliance on narrative tricks can turn repetitive, leaving a few stray incidents feeling inconsequential. As Binged points out, the screenplay is “overcooked with subplots,” and while innovative, it occasionally sacrifices substance for style.
Emerging Trends in Malayalam OTT and Key Players
This series arrives amid a boom in Malayalam web content, blending indie sensibilities with commercial appeal—trends seen in hits like Aavasavyuham (Krishand’s own) and Purusha Pretham. Krishand emerges as a key auteur, pushing boundaries with experimental storytelling that appeals beyond Kerala, available in multiple languages on SonyLIV. The cast, drawn from independent cinema, highlights a shift toward ensemble-driven narratives over star power. On X, buzz is positive, with semantic searches revealing praise for its “thrilling blend of action and emotion” and comparisons to global epics. Viewer engagement spikes around themes of friendship and chaos, though some critique the slow burns.
Verdict: A Must-Watch for Genre Fans
The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang is a firecracker of a series—chaotic, clever, and unapologetically Krishand. It’s not flawless, but its mischievous bite and local flavor make it a standout in 2025’s OTT landscape, perfect for Onam bingeing. At 4/5 stars, it’s recommended for fans of quirky crime tales who appreciate when legends become fact (or fiction). Stream it on SonyLIV to join the mayhem— just don’t expect a tidy resolution; like life in the slums, it’s messy, funny, and oddly endearing. Ethical note: While inspired by real events, the series fictionalizes sensitively, avoiding glorification and sparking thoughtful discussions on crime’s roots.