Chennai City Gangsters, directed by Vikram Rajeshwar and Arun Keshav, brings together a long list of familiar faces from Tamil cinema including Vaibhav, Athulya Ravi, Manikandan Rajesh, Anandaraj, Naan Kadavul Rajendran, John Vijay, Redin Kingsley, Sunil Reddy, Ilavarasu, Livingston, and Shihan Hussaini. The technical side of the film is handled by D. Imman (music), Tijo Tomy (cinematography), and Suresh A. Prasad (editing). Marketed as a crime-comedy or a quirky Chennai heist drama, the movie promises a stylish blend of action, suspense, and humor. But when the curtain lifts, the big question remains—does the film succeed in its attempt? Sadly, the answer leans towards disappointment.
| Chennai City Gangsters – Movie Details | |
|---|---|
| Directors | Vikram Rajeshwar, Arun Keshav |
| Cast | Vaibhav, Athulya Ravi, Manikandan Rajesh, Anandaraj, Naan Kadavul Rajendran, John Vijay, Redin Kingsley, Sunil Reddy, Ilavarasu, Livingston, Shihan Hussaini |
| Music | D. Imman |
| Cinematography | Tijo Tomy |
| Editing | Suresh A. Prasad |
| Genre | Crime-Comedy, Heist Drama |
| Review Summary | Marketed as a stylish blend of action, suspense, and humor, the film sets high expectations with its quirky Chennai heist drama premise. However, it ultimately falls short, leading to a disappointing experience. |
Vaibhav’s Heist Film Misses the Mark
At its heart, the story follows a bank employee who decides to join hands with four ex-gangsters in a daring attempt to rob a bank in Chennai. As the plan is set into motion, two strangers—played by Vaibhav and Manikandan—suddenly enter the stage, adding mystery and confusion. On paper, this is the perfect setup for a thrilling Tamil heist film with twists, betrayals, and edge-of-the-seat tension.
Unfortunately, the writing derails into predictable and clumsy storytelling. The idea sounds exciting, but the execution feels hollow. Scenes that should have raised tension instead drag endlessly. The screenplay offers no strong build-up, no clever heist mechanics, and no emotional hook to care about the characters. By the first half itself, the lack of engaging moments makes the audience lose interest, turning a promising setup into a dull watch.
D. Imman’s Music Shines in an Uninspired Film
If there is any saving grace, it is D. Imman’s background score. He injects style and some mood into action blocks with sleek music that makes the film look sharper than it actually is. Similarly, Tijo Tomy’s cinematography gives the movie a nice polish, painting Chennai and the crime world with vibrant frames.
But these technical strengths cannot fully cover up the sluggish pace. Suresh A. Prasad’s editing is clean and professional, but the core problem lies with the weak writing. When scenes themselves lack drama, no editing can make them better. Out of the 129-minute runtime, only about ten minutes stand out—mostly towards the climax.
Big Cast, Weak Script: A Missed Opportunity
One of the biggest talking points about Chennai City Gangsters was its ensemble cast. Unfortunately, most of them are wasted.
- Vaibhav, who often brings charm and lightness to his roles, is let down again by poor script choices.
- Anandaraj, Rajendran, and John Vijay are dependable names in Tamil cinema, but here, they get no memorable scenes or dialogues to make a mark.
- Even the comedy quotient falls flat. Redin Kingsley and Sunil are given roles that feel like fillers. Instead of bringing laughter, their appearances feel forced, as though included just to cover runtime.
- Athulya Ravi has little to do, and her role barely adds to the central heist or its consequences.
With such a strong supporting cast, the movie could have built memorable moments of fun, tension, or even emotional connection. But instead, every actor feels underused, and the performances end up routine and forgettable.
Style Without Story: Chennai Heist Drama Fails
At the surface, the movie looks like a stylish crime-comedy meant to keep viewers entertained with colorful characters and some slick staging. But beneath its glossy exterior, there is no real story to hold onto. The screenplay is scattered, the pacing is slow, the comedy is weak, and the thrill never truly arrives.
The finale does offer a small flash of energy where the cast finally feels coordinated, but it comes too late to save the movie. By then, the audience is already disconnected.
In the end, Chennai City Gangsters becomes a perfect example of how style without substance can sink a film. The technical crew—music, visuals, and neat editing—do their best to lift the film, but the weak script and uninspired execution bring it crashing down.
If you are a fan of heist films in Tamil cinema, this movie may still interest you for its attempt, but it will likely leave you wishing for more edge, wit, and entertainment.
Also Read: Bun Butter Jam Review 2025
