Chennai City Gangsters Review: A Heist That Fizzles Out

Chennai City Gangsters, directed by Vikram Rajeshwar and Arun Keshav, features Vaibhav, Athulya Ravi, Manikandan Rajesh, Anandaraj, Naan Kadavul Rajendran, John Vijay, Redin Kingsley, Sunil Reddy, Ilavarasu, Livingston, and Shihan Hussaini in key roles. Backed by a musical score from D. Imman, with visuals by cinematographer Tijo Tomy and editing by Suresh A. Prasad, the film positions itself as a quirky heist drama set in Chennai. With a cast full of colorful characters and a technical crew that promises flair, the film aims to blend crime and comedy—but does it live up to expectations?

The story revolves around a bank employee who joins hands with four ex-gangsters to pull off a daring bank robbery in Chennai. Along the way, two strangers (Vaibhav and Manikandan) enter the picture, adding an air of mystery. What begins as a classic heist tale soon derails into a chaotic series of underwhelming twists and clumsy storytelling. While the plot had potential, it is undone by a screenplay that lacks depth, structure, and energy. Most scenes fail to engage or entertain, leaving the viewer disconnected throughout the runtime.

If there’s anything that mildly stands out, it’s D. Imman’s background score, which adds a stylish tone to certain sequences, and the cinematography, which brings some visual gloss. The editing, though neat, can only do so much to salvage the sluggish flow. Performances, for the most part, are unremarkable. The otherwise dependable ensemble cast is reduced to routine acts, with only the climax offering a brief glimpse of synergy. Of the 129-minute runtime, barely 10 minutes feel truly appreciable.

Vaibhav, despite his charming screen presence, continues to struggle with underwhelming scripts. Talented performers like Anandaraj, Rajendran, John Vijay, and Suniel get little material to shine. Even the comedic names in the cast are used as fillers rather than contributors to the narrative.

Chennai City Gangsters is a classic case of style over substance. Despite a loaded cast and an interesting premise, the film falls flat due to weak writing and uninspired execution. Apart from the music and visuals, there’s very little that holds your attention.