Sanju Sivram on playing the lead role in Krishand’s 4.5 Gang: Came at a time when I was not considered for protagonist roles | Exclusive

Sanju Sivram has been part of Malayalam films in various big and small roles over the past many years. The Malayalam actor plays the lead role in noted director Krishand’s latest web series The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang (streaming on SonyLiv and OTTplay Premium). He plays Arikuttan, one of the gang from who goes on to make money by dabbling in milk and flower mafia. In an exclusive interview with OTTplay, Sanju opens up about collaborating with Krishand, Fahahd Faasil and his upcoming projects.

How did you become part of the series, directed by Krishand?

I was part of this from the planning time itself. Krishand first told me about the idea about 10 years ago. When the discussions first started, there were not many series even in India. We pitched the idea first to SonyLiv in 2020. Krishand had earlier done a web series, Utsaha Ithihasam (on Zee5 and OTTplay Premium), around 2017. That was probably the first Malayalam web series. But the whole process, follow-up, everything took time and we finally released in 2025, and have been getting positive responses.

Read on the internet that 4.5 Gang was first conceived as a film and then was later made into a series?

No, no. It is not a concept that can be made as a movie. It is really lengthy. If it had been made as a film, we don’t know how much it would have justified (the story).

About playing a lead role?

It is pretty huge. I was cast in this at a time when I was not being considered as the protagonist. Ellathin athintethetaya samayam undu (It happened at the right time). I have also done another series, 1000 Babies.

What was the most challenging part of the Krishand series?

The series was shot in a single schedule. The series tracks my character, from school days to his middle age. To play one character’s different transformations is not easy. There were no schedule breaks, and preparing for it was a task. There was also confusion about how to get there. For the school-going period, the character’s body language itself would be different. Plus, they are from a slum area, so they would not have any characteristics of privileged people and would be pretty skinny. So there had to be a physical transformation. I believe that to capture the emotions of the character, the physique always helps. Even your breathing pattern or movement changes, when you put on or lose weight. I put in a lot of effort for that. My trainer Habib was there with me throughout the process, from workout to diet. My target was to reach the weight of my own school days, and I achieved it. So that also convinced me that I could pull off this character.

Also read: Sanju Sivram on how he was inspired by Tovino Thomas’ success to work hard for 4.5 Gang | Exclusive 

How has been the reception for 4.5 Gang?

We were apprehensive about the series releasing along with the Onam releases. There were really big films also - Lalettan’s Hridayapoorvam, Lokah, and Fahad’s Odum Kuthira Chaadum Kuthira. So there were concerns that the series would be lost among these. But after Onam, the viewership increased dramatically for the series and we have been receiving positive feedback from viewers. I am really happy to have been part of such a project.

Collaborating with Krishand and other actors?

While working with Krishand, you get to do something different as an actor. You also get the space to try and Krishand will be the most excited about it because he often says that the actor’s contribution turns out to be good, he stands to benefit from it the most. Krishand has a clear idea on what he wants. He knows the graph and grammar of the entire series, so he also knows whether the improvisations of the actors would work or not. Actors have the freedom to improvise on dialogues or scenes. It is not something you would necessarily get for all projects. Krishand will encourage, guide or create the space for it. It is very easy to work with these filmmakers. It is something I enjoyed during this entire process.

It was a good experience to work with the rest of the actors also. We worked whole-heartedly for this project. Niranj is very humorous, Sreenath is a wonderful human, Shambu is really passionate about cinema, and Sachin is very excited about this project.

Also read: 4.5 Gang director Krishand on whether there will be Season 2, why he chose Sanju Sivram as the lead, and more 

Do you find it more tiresome or challenging to work in series than films?

Earlier, when I was talking to a friend (actress) Mridula, I complained about the tough schedules. But she told me, ‘Don’t say like that. Sanju, you really wanted to do this.’ So that is when I thought of it in that light. We are also enjoying this hardship. So at times

You were seen in a small part in Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum. But it is one of the most watched scenes from the film. About collaborating with Fahadh Faasil?

Fahadh is a wonderful actor. I believe that a lot of factors need to come together for acting to stand out. It is not possible for acting to excel on its own. There should be a good script, dialogues, cinematographer, director, and there should be good music to back it up. And a huge factor is also the actor who stands opposite to you. When you are working with Fahadh, it is remarkable what comes from his side. You are working with one of the finest actors, so you also get to perform. That give-and-take policy is really enjoyable.

We had earlier worked together with Monsoon Mangoes. It is very complimentary. That has also helped in Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum. Also director Akhil Sathyan… he knows how to bring the best out of you. While working with Akhil is when I understood how (Akhil’s father) Sathyan Anthikad sir got such good actors to collaborate with him. Actors have excelled the most in his films. They are all remarkable actors, but the characters they have played in Sathyan sir’s films are unforgettable. There is magic. Their process is just superb.

Upcoming projects?

There is Krishand’s Masthishka Maranam. Then there is Hemanth Ramesh’s Oru Startup Kadha, where I will be playing a negative character. I am also part of

Aamir Pallikkal’s next project, the shoot for which will start in December. I am also in talks to be part of Nissam Basheer’s Nobody, starring Prithviraj Sukumaran and Parvathy Thiruvothu. Then there are some other projects, but it is too soon to talk about it.

FAQs

Q. What is the story of the chronicles of the 4.5 gang?

A. The story of The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang revolves around 5 youths from a slum area in Kerala. As they seek to earn money in any way possible, they get involved in criminal activities. 

Q. Where to watch The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang?

A. You can watch The Chronicles of the 4.5 Gang on SonyLiv via OTTplay Premium.