# The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang
**The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang** (Malayalam: *Sambhavavivaranam Nalara Sangham*, സംഭവവിവരണം നാലരസംഘം) is a 2025 Indian Malayalam-language crime comedy web series created and directed by Krishand, released on SonyLIV. It follows five young men from a slum in the fictional town of Thiruvanchipuram, modeled on [Thiruvananthapuram](https://www.edgepedia.org/thiruvananthapuram), who turn to petty crime in the hope of earning enough respect to sponsor their local temple festival.[1](https://www.sonyliv.com/shows/the-chronicles-of-the-4-5-gang-1790006684) • [2](https://scroll.in/reel/1085970/4-5-gang-review-a-colourful-crime-saga-with-memorable-characters)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Original title | *Sambhavavivaranam Nalara Sangham* (സംഭവവിവരണം നാലരസംഘം)[3](https://www.justwatch.com/in/tv-show/the-chronicles-of-the-4-5-gang) |
| Creator and director | Krishand, a National Award-winning Malayalam filmmaker[4](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/features/interviews/krishand-on-45-gang-and-the-evolution-of-his-offbeat-storytelling) |
| Format | 1 season, 6 episodes of about 55 minutes each[3](https://www.justwatch.com/in/tv-show/the-chronicles-of-the-4-5-gang) |
| Release | Premiered on SonyLIV on August 28, 2025, a day before the announced August 29 date[5](https://www.ottplay.com/news/the-chronicles-of-the-45-gang-out-on-ott-a-day-early-where-how-to-watch-krishand-malayalam-web-series/ee3048b09b398) |
| Languages | Malayalam, with dubs in Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil[5](https://www.ottplay.com/news/the-chronicles-of-the-45-gang-out-on-ott-a-day-early-where-how-to-watch-krishand-malayalam-web-series/ee3048b09b398) |
| Lead cast | Sanju Sivram (Arikuttan), Jagadish (Maithreyan), Niranj Maniyanpilla Raju (Althaf), Shambu Menon (Maniyan), Sreenath Babu (Kanji), Sachin Joseph (Moonga)[3](https://www.justwatch.com/in/tv-show/the-chronicles-of-the-4-5-gang) |
| Age rating | A (adults only)[1](https://www.sonyliv.com/shows/the-chronicles-of-the-4-5-gang-1790006684) |
## Spoilers
### Premise and structure
The series is framed as a memoir in progress. In 2018, an older Arikuttan hires the writer Maithreyan to ghostwrite his life story and recast his gang's violent past in a flattering light.[1](https://www.sonyliv.com/shows/the-chronicles-of-the-4-5-gang-1790006684) The narrative moves between Arikuttan dictating his story to Maithreyan in the early 2010s and the gang's formative years in the early 1990s, and it repeatedly contrasts Maithreyan's embellished, self-mythologizing version of events with the harsher history Arikuttan actually recounts.[6](https://www.ottplay.com/features/the-chronicles-of-the-45-gang-is-uneven-but-solid-entertaining/69441beb84221)
The title's "4.5" counts the gang's five members: four young men and their friend Moonga, who has dwarfism, hence the half. The writer Maithreyan even pauses early in the story to ask whether the half-point reference is politically correct.[2](https://scroll.in/reel/1085970/4-5-gang-review-a-colourful-crime-saga-with-memorable-characters)
The gang's criminal career begins when, after failing to make headway in their studies, they fall under the wing of the corrupt police inspector Suresh (Rahul Rajagopal). Their money-making schemes stay deliberately small-time: pilfering milk, then capturing Thiruvanchipuram's flower-supply business around the temples, while contending with rival racketeers with colorful nicknames such as [Bruce Lee](https://www.edgepedia.org/bruce-lee) (Prasanth [Alexander](https://www.edgepedia.org/alexander)), Pyelakuttan (Vishnu Agasthya), Airport Saji, and Cracker Unni.[2](https://scroll.in/reel/1085970/4-5-gang-review-a-colourful-crime-saga-with-memorable-characters) • [7](https://watch.plex.tv/es/show/the-chronicles-of-the-4-5-gang) A 2004 gold-smuggling heist marks a turning point in Arikuttan's life, and the six episodes trace the escalation from petty theft through gang wars to arson and murder.[8](https://blog.reelgood.com/how-to-watch-the-chronicles-of-the-4-5-gang-in-the-us)
### Episodes
All six episodes of season 1 were released together on SonyLIV:[8](https://blog.reelgood.com/how-to-watch-the-chronicles-of-the-4-5-gang-in-the-us)
1. "Attack on the Cop" – a violent heist in 2004 changes Arikuttan's life; fourteen years later he arrives in Auran looking for a ghostwriter.
2. "Gangster Take Over Ponakavu" – a revenge act pushes the boys into their first crime.
3. "Ponkashi Milk Mafia at Large" – the gang enters the milk business while the police close in.
4. "Goons Take Over the State Capital" – retaliation from Senthil's family unleashes city-wide gang wars.
5. "Cold-blooded Christmas" – SI Suresh draws the gang into a plot involving arson and the murder of Pookada Vava.
6. "Gunfires at the Festival" – Arikuttan finally leads a temple festival as vengeance and betrayal spiral into chaos.[9](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_chronicles_of_the_45_gang/s01)
## Development
Krishand, a National Award-winning director previously known for the films *Aavasavyuham* and *Purusha Pretham*, traces the idea for the series to his student years at [IIT Bombay](https://www.edgepedia.org/iit-bombay), 12 or 13 years before release. A professor there urged him to write from his own roots, and Krishand, who grew up in what he calls a Colony in Thiruvananthapuram, drew on the world around him. He began pitching the series to streaming platforms in 2015, considered reshaping it as a two-part film, and finally received a green light in 2020.[4](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/features/interviews/krishand-on-45-gang-and-the-evolution-of-his-offbeat-storytelling) Lead actor Sanju Sivram said he was part of the project from the planning stage and that the idea was first pitched to SonyLIV in 2020.[10](https://www.ottplay.com/interview/sanju-sivram-on-playing-the-lead-role-in-krishands-45-gang/2ab7df1f24936)
Krishand has said the storyline did not change over the years of development, but the character of Maithreyan became wilder. Reading first-person accounts in which criminals whitewashed their own actions inspired him to make the ghostwriter more unhinged.[11](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/malayalam/interviews/2025/Sep/14/krishand-script-for-mohanlal-film-strengthened-after-his-feedback) He also reworked the script after watching *[Angamaly Diaries](https://www.edgepedia.org/angamaly-diaries)* to make the series more entertaining, and noted that he saw similarities between his material and films such as *Gangs of Wasseypur* and *Angamaly Diaries*, which released while he was writing.[4](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/features/interviews/krishand-on-45-gang-and-the-evolution-of-his-offbeat-storytelling)
## Cast and crew
The crew includes Jomon Jacob as producer, [Vishnu Prabhakar](https://www.edgepedia.org/vishnu-prabhakar) as director of photography, K. Sasi Kumar as editor, and Sooraj Santhosh and Varkey as music composers.[12](https://www.filmibeat.com/the-chronicles-of-4-5-the-gang-ws-2623.html) The soundtrack spans 25 tracks across the six episodes, moving between hip-hop, orchestral pieces, and native nadan elements.[13](https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/2025/09/22/malayalam-series-chronicles-four-point-five-gang-krishand-review.html) Supporting cast members include Darshana Rajendran as Ramani, [Indrans](https://www.edgepedia.org/indrans) as Arikuttan's father Balachandran, Santhy Balachandran as Kingini, and Vijayaraghavan.[2](https://scroll.in/reel/1085970/4-5-gang-review-a-colourful-crime-saga-with-memorable-characters) • [14](https://www.dtnext.in/entertainment/ott/dt-next-watchlist-from-the-chronicles-of-the-45-gang-to-shodha-heres-a-guide-to-ott-releases-in-august-2025-844638)
## Reception
The series drew strongly positive reviews. [The Indian Express](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-indian-express) gave it 4.5 out of 5 and called it a near-perfect gangster comedy, crediting the actors playing the central gang for much of its effect.[15](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/the-chronicles-of-the-4-5-gang-review-krishand-delivers-the-best-malayalam-series-yet-10221829/) *The Week* described it as a gangster epic that is [Malayalam cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/malayalam-cinema)'s answer to *Gangs of Wasseypur*, noting its metaphors, mythological references, and wordplay.[16](https://www.theweek.in/review/movies/2025/08/29/the-chronicles-of-the-4-5-gang-review-a-gangster-epic-that-s-malayalam-cinema-s-answer-to-gangs-of-wasseypur.amp.html) The Scroll review praised the sharply etched characters and performances while calling the show densely written, leisurely paced, and self-consciously messy, with some scenes that run long.[2](https://scroll.in/reel/1085970/4-5-gang-review-a-colourful-crime-saga-with-memorable-characters) An OTTplay review rated it 3.5 out of 5.[17](https://www.ottplay.com/review/the-chronicles-of-the-45-gang-review-krishand-delivers-a-wacky-series-stamped-with-his-signature-style/b90410d556834)
Reviewers highlighted the show's use of the distinct Thiruvananthapuram dialect and its blend of dark comedy with the gangster genre, including comic-book devices such as split screens and an unreliable narrator.[13](https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/2025/09/22/malayalam-series-chronicles-four-point-five-gang-krishand-review.html) • [2](https://scroll.in/reel/1085970/4-5-gang-review-a-colourful-crime-saga-with-memorable-characters) Krishand said in an interview that the series was being compared to *Gangs of Wasseypur* and *Vada Chennai*.[11](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/malayalam/interviews/2025/Sep/14/krishand-script-for-mohanlal-film-strengthened-after-his-feedback)
## References
1. [The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang, Sony LIV](https://www.sonyliv.com/shows/the-chronicles-of-the-4-5-gang-1790006684)
2. [Nandini Ramnath (August 29, 2025). '4.5 Gang' review: A colourful crime saga with memorable characters. Scroll.in.](https://scroll.in/reel/1085970/4-5-gang-review-a-colourful-crime-saga-with-memorable-characters)
3. [The Chronicles Of The 4.5 Gang, JustWatch](https://www.justwatch.com/in/tv-show/the-chronicles-of-the-4-5-gang)
4. [Interview | Director Krishand on '4.5 Gang' and His Bold Storytelling. The Hollywood Reporter India (September 8, 2025).](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/features/interviews/krishand-on-45-gang-and-the-evolution-of-his-offbeat-storytelling)
5. [The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang out on OTT a day early! OTTplay (August 28, 2025).](https://www.ottplay.com/news/the-chronicles-of-the-45-gang-out-on-ott-a-day-early-where-how-to-watch-krishand-malayalam-web-series/ee3048b09b398)
6. [The Chronicles Of The 4.5 Gang Is Uneven, Yet Entertainingly Solid. OTTplay (August 29, 2025).](https://www.ottplay.com/features/the-chronicles-of-the-45-gang-is-uneven-but-solid-entertaining/69441beb84221)
7. [The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang, Plex](https://watch.plex.tv/es/show/the-chronicles-of-the-4-5-gang)
8. [How to watch The Chronicles Of The 4.5 Gang in the US. UpNext by Reelgood.](https://blog.reelgood.com/how-to-watch-the-chronicles-of-the-4-5-gang-in-the-us)
9. [The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang: Season 1, Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_chronicles_of_the_45_gang/s01)
10. [Sanju Sivram on playing the lead role in Krishand's 4.5 Gang. OTTplay.](https://www.ottplay.com/interview/sanju-sivram-on-playing-the-lead-role-in-krishands-45-gang/2ab7df1f24936)
11. [Krishand: Script for Mohanlal film strengthened after his feedback. Cinema Express (September 14, 2025).](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/amp/story/malayalam/interviews/2025/Sep/14/krishand-script-for-mohanlal-film-strengthened-after-his-feedback)
12. [The Chronicles of 4.5 the Gang Web Series Season 1, Filmibeat](https://www.filmibeat.com/the-chronicles-of-4-5-the-gang-ws-2623.html)
13. [Krishand's 'Chronicles of the 4.5 gang': Here's why this series is a compelling watch. Onmanorama (September 22, 2025).](https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/2025/09/22/malayalam-series-chronicles-four-point-five-gang-krishand-review.html)
14. [DT Next Watchlist: OTT releases in August 2025. DT Next (August 27, 2025).](https://www.dtnext.in/entertainment/ott/dt-next-watchlist-from-the-chronicles-of-the-45-gang-to-shodha-heres-a-guide-to-ott-releases-in-august-2025-844638)
15. [The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang Review: Krishand delivers the best Malayalam series yet. The Indian Express (August 31, 2025).](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/the-chronicles-of-the-4-5-gang-review-krishand-delivers-the-best-malayalam-series-yet-10221829/)
16. ['The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang' review: A gangster epic that's Malayalam cinema's answer to 'Gangs of Wasseypur'. The Week (August 29, 2025).](https://www.theweek.in/review/movies/2025/08/29/the-chronicles-of-the-4-5-gang-review-a-gangster-epic-that-s-malayalam-cinema-s-answer-to-gangs-of-wasseypur.amp.html)
17. [The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang review: Krishand delivers a wacky series stamped with his signature style. OTTplay (August 29, 2025).](https://www.ottplay.com/review/the-chronicles-of-the-45-gang-review-krishand-delivers-a-wacky-series-stamped-with-his-signature-style/b90410d556834)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Series and fictional screen worlds › International serial drama and telenovelas › South and Southeast Asian serials › Malayalam and Kannada serials*
*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license