Yellow Gangs

Yellow Gangs
Directed byRavindra Parameshwarappa
Written byRavindra Parameshwarappa
Produced byVibhinna Studios in association with Key Lights and What Next Movies
StarringArchana Kottige, Dev Devaiah, Bala Rajwadi, Sathya Ummathal, Arunn Jaanu, Sathya B G, Natyaranga, Vittal Parita, Pradeep Poojari
CinematographySugnan
Edited bySuresh Arumugam
Music byRohit Sower
Production
companies
Vibhinna Studios; Key Lights; What Next Movies
Release date
  • 11 November 2022 (2022-11-11)
Running time
136 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageKannada

Yellow Gangs is a 2022 Indian Kannada language crime thriller film written and directed by Ravindra Parameshwarappa in his directorial debut, and produced by Vibhinna Studios in association with Key Lights and What Next Movies.[1][2] The ensemble cast features Archana Kottige, Dev Devaiah, Bala Rajwadi, Sathya Ummathal, Arunn Jaanu, Sathya B G, Natyaranga, Vittal Parita and Pradeep Poojari.[3]

The film follows the intertwining lives of multiple gangs, a corrupt cop, and a street-smart journalist after a drug deal goes wrong, leading to a violent chain of betrayals. It was released theatrically on 11 November 2022 and later became available on Amazon Prime Video.[4][5]

Plot

A drug deal between gangster Ushna’s crew and two hippies goes awry when their vehicle crashes in front of a narcotics officer, triggering a police bust and setting off dire consequences. Ushna hides the cash at his accountant’s home. Meanwhile, Tentnaga and his nomadic gang, planning a jewelry heist, are recruited by the accountant for a bigger heist targeting Ushna’s hidden stash.

Elsewhere, mobster Krishnappa, directed by his astrologer to acquire a vintage car, sends his henchmen to steal it from an eccentric old man, “Uncle,” via petty thieves Prabhu and Seena. Vikram, a corrupt sub-inspector under Krishnappa’s sway, is forced to find the hidden money to protect his journalist girlfriend, Priya. On the day of the heists, Tentnaga betrays the accountant, packing him into the stolen car’s trunk. Prabhu and Seena flee with both car and accountant; Tentnaga’s gang escapes with the money.

Chaos ensues: Ushna's gang hunts Tentnaga, Uncle turns to the police, and Vikram joins the chase. All paths converge at an abandoned junkyard for a bloody Mexican standoff that seals the characters’ fates—turned by greed, chance, and gunfire.[6]

Cast

  • Archana Kottige as Priya
  • Dev Devaiah as Vikram
  • Bala Rajwadi as Krishnappa
  • Arunn Jaanu as Ushna
  • Sathya B G as Tentnaga
  • Natyaranga as Prabhu
  • Vittal Parita as Seena
  • Sathya Ummathal as Uncle
  • Pradeep Poojari as Spark

Production

The film was shot entirely in and around suburban Bengaluru to create a non-specific, raw backdrop. Techniques like handheld cinematography and no-makeup acting were employed for immersive realism. Director Ravindra Parameshwarappa, a Manipal University graduate and former assistant to Yogaraj Bhat, crafted a non-linear, interwoven crime narrative exploring themes of greed, pride, and betrayal. The core crew included director of photography Sugnan, editor Suresh Arumugam, and composer Rohit Sower.[7][8]

Release

Theatrical

Yellow Gangs premiered in Indian theaters on 11 November 2022.[9]

Home media

The film was later made available on Amazon Prime Video on 20 June 2023.[10]

Reception

Yellow Gangs received generally positive to mixed reviews. OTTPlay rated it 3.5 out of 5, praising its conviction and finesse.[11] Likewise, the Kannada daily Vijaya Karnataka awarded it 3.5 out of 5 for maintaining curiosity throughout.[12] International outlets like Film Threat and Asian Movie Pulse highlighted its ensemble structure, stylistic grit, and dark humour.[13][14]

References

  1. ^ "Yellow Gangs to hit the theatres on November 11". The New Indian Express. 24 October 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  2. ^ "Yellow Gang Trailer: ಈ ಊರಿನ ನವೋದಯ ಶಾಲೆಯ ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿಗಳು ಸಿನಿಮಾ ನಿರ್ಮಾಪಕರು!; 'ಯೆಲೋ ಗ್ಯಾಂಗ್' ಹಿಂದಿದೆ ಸ್ನೇಹಿತರ ಗ್ಯಾಂಗ್". Kannada Hindustan Times (in Kannada). 24 October 2022.
  3. ^ "The Yellow Gangs set to arrive on November 11". Free Press Journal. 25 October 2022.
  4. ^ "Yellow Gangs Trailer: Ravindra Parameshwarappa's next revolves around dirty world of drugs". News9Live. 24 October 2022.
  5. ^ "Yellow Gangs on Prime Video". Amazon Prime Video. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  6. ^ "Yellow Gangs review: An intriguing crime drama elevated by conviction and finesse". OTTPlay. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  7. ^ "Ravindra Parameshwarappa's Yellow Gangs To Hit Celluloid On November 11". Outlook India. 10 October 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  8. ^ "Yellow Gangs to hit the theatres on November 11". The New Indian Express. 24 October 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  9. ^ "Yellow Gangs to hit the theatres on November 11". The New Indian Express. 24 October 2022. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  10. ^ "Yellow Gangs on Prime Video". Amazon Prime Video. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  11. ^ "Yellow Gangs review: An intriguing crime drama elevated by conviction and finesse". OTTPlay. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  12. ^ "Yellow Gangs Review: ಆದಿಯಿಂದ ಅಂತ್ಯದವರೆಗೂ ಕುತೂಹಲ ಕಾಯುವ 'ಯೆಲೋ ಗ್ಯಾಂಗ್'". Vijaya Karnataka (in Kannada). Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  13. ^ "Film Review – Yellow Gangs (2022) by Ravindra Parameshwarappa". Asian Movie Pulse. 2 May 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  14. ^ "Yellow Gangs Review – Stylish, dark, and gripping ensemble crime‐thriller". Film Threat. 7 May 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2025.