Some of the biggest hits come out of nowhere. In this Romancham review, we look at Jithu Madhavan’s 2023 debut — a horror-comedy about a group of Malayali bachelors in Bengaluru who start playing with an Ouija board. With no big stars and minimal promotion, it opened quietly and turned into one of the most profitable Malayalam films of the year, thanks to strong word of mouth.
It also introduced audiences to the director who would go on to make Aavesham.
Quick Verdict
- Rating: 3.5/5
- Best for: groups of friends and anyone who likes light scares with lots of laughs.
- Highlights: the bachelor-house comedy, Soubin Shahir, Arjun Ashokan’s late entry, Sushin Shyam’s music.
- Minor flaw: the climax is weaker than the build-up.
Table of Contents
Romancham: Movie Details
| Director & writer | Jithu Madhavan |
|---|---|
| Cast | Soubin Shahir, Arjun Ashokan, Sajin Gopu, Siju Sunny, Abin Bino, Afzal P.H., Anantharaman Ajay |
| Music | Sushin Shyam |
| Producers | Johnpaul George, Girish Gangadharan |
| Release date | 3 February 2023 |
| OTT | Disney+ Hotstar (now JioHotstar) |
Story (No Spoilers)
Set in 2007, the film follows seven unemployed or barely employed Malayali friends sharing a cramped rented house in Bengaluru. Bored and broke, they begin experimenting with an Ouija board. What starts as a prank turns strange when the “spirit” — whom they name Anamika — begins answering questions with uncanny accuracy. Soon, the boys are asking the spirit for help with everything from cricket matches to their love lives, until things start getting genuinely creepy.
Performances
Soubin Shahir leads the gang as Jibin, whose obsession with the Ouija board drives the story. His comic timing and believable panic make the film work. The group of mostly lesser-known actors — Sajin Gopu, Siju Sunny, Abin Bino, Afzal P.H. and others — feel like a real group of roommates, constantly teasing and bickering.
Arjun Ashokan arrives in the second half and injects new energy with a memorable, scene-stealing performance. Sajin Gopu, who later became famous as Amban in Aavesham, also stands out here.
Romancham Review: Why It Worked
The film’s biggest strength is its observational comedy. Jithu Madhavan, who drew on his own experiences of bachelor life in Bengaluru, captures the shared meals, petty arguments, borrowed money and late-night chats that anyone who has lived with friends will recognise. The horror elements are used mainly to heighten the comedy, though a few scenes are genuinely spooky.
Sushin Shyam’s music adds punch, and the period setting — mobile phones of the late 2000s, old Bengaluru streets — adds nostalgia. The film’s modest budget meant its box office success translated into huge profits.
Its success also mattered for the industry. It showed that a small film with relatively unknown faces could fill theatres purely on audience recommendation, at a time when many feared viewers would wait for streaming releases. Several later youth-driven Malayalam hits followed a similar path.
Themes and Craft
Under the jokes, the film is about young men drifting. Most of the friends have no clear job, no money and no plan. The Ouija board gives them something to believe in, a sense that someone is finally listening. That idea gives the comedy a slightly sad undertone that makes the characters more endearing.
Friendship is the other big theme. The house is crowded and chaotic, yet the boys look out for each other. Even their fights feel affectionate, which is why viewers who shared rooms or hostels with friends connect with it so easily.
Direction and sound
Jithu Madhavan keeps the camera close to the group, so the small house feels cramped and lived-in. Many scares are built with sound rather than visuals — a creak, a sudden silence, a flicker of light — and are then undercut with a punchline. Sushin Shyam’s score switches between eerie and playful with ease, and it plays a big part in making the scares land.
The screenplay is loosely structured, moving from one funny episode to the next rather than following a tight plot. That works well for most of the runtime, though it explains why the ending feels less polished.
How It Compares With Similar Malayalam Films
| Film | Year | Common ground |
|---|---|---|
| Manichitrathazhu | 1993 | Classic blend of fear, mystery and humour |
| Pretham | 2016 | Ghost story played largely for laughs |
| Aavesham | 2024 | Same director, Bengaluru setting, Sajin Gopu |
If you want something scarier, our Bramayugam review covers a very different, far darker Malayalam horror film.
Rating Breakdown
| Aspect | Score |
|---|---|
| Comedy | 4.5/5 |
| Horror | 3/5 |
| Performances | 4/5 |
| Climax | 2.5/5 |
| Rewatch value | 4/5 |
What works and what doesn’t
- Works: authentic friendship comedy, relatable characters, and clever use of the Ouija premise.
- Doesn’t: the final act struggles to tie together its horror and comedy, and the ending feels abrupt.
Who should watch it?
Watch it with friends — it is the perfect group-watch film. If you are scared easily, don’t worry: it is far more funny than frightening. For more, see our list of Malayalam horror movies and our Aavesham review, Jithu Madhavan’s next film.
Viewing tips
This film is best enjoyed in a group, ideally late in the evening. Turn the volume up, since the sound design carries many of the jump moments. Subtitles help with the rapid banter between the friends. And avoid spoilers about the second half — Arjun Ashokan’s arrival works best as a surprise.
Final Verdict
To conclude this Romancham review: it is a fun, fresh and very funny horror-comedy that captures bachelor life with affection. It is not perfect, but it is a delightful example of how a small, honest film can become a blockbuster.
Cinemas Diary Rating: 3.5/5
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Romancham a horror movie?
It is a horror-comedy, with far more comedy than scares.
Where can I watch Romancham online?
Romancham streams on JioHotstar (formerly Disney+ Hotstar).
Who directed Romancham?
Jithu Madhavan, who later directed Aavesham.
When is Romancham set?
The story is set in 2007, in a rented house in Bengaluru.
Who composed the music for Romancham?
Sushin Shyam composed the songs and background score.
Is Romancham suitable for children?
Mostly yes for older children. The scares are mild and there is no gore, though younger kids may find a few scenes spooky.
What rating does this Romancham review give?
We rate it 3.5 out of 5.
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