Romancham Review: A Hilarious Malayalam Horror-Comedy Recap

Welcome to The Movie Time, your ultimate hub for spoiler-filled recaps and reviews of cinematic gems! Today, we’re revisiting Romancham, a Malayalam horror-comedy that spooked and tickled audiences on February 3, 2023. Directed by Jithu Madhavan and starring Soubin Shahir, Arjun Ashokan, and an ensemble of newcomers, this Bengaluru-set tale of Ouija board chaos is a Mollywood classic. Does it still deliver chills and chuckles? Stream it on Disney+ Hotstar, catch the Hindi remake Kapkapiii (2025) in theaters, and join the buzz on X with #MovieTimePicks!

The Rise of Malayalam Horror-Comedy

Malayalam cinema, or Mollywood, has carved a global niche with its bold storytelling, from intense dramas like Drishyam to quirky hits like Premam. Romancham (transl. Goosebumps) taps into the horror-comedy genre, blending scares with laughs in the vein of In Ghost House Inn (2010). Directed by debutant Jithu Madhavan, it’s based on real events from his college days in Bengaluru, per Filmibeat. Released in 2023, it grossed ₹70 crore worldwide, becoming the fifth highest-grossing Malayalam film that year, per Wikipedia. Its Hindi remake, Kapkapiii (May 23, 2025), and a teased sequel keep the hype alive. For global readers, Bengaluru—India’s tech hub—sets the stage with its vibrant hostel culture, where students live in shared rentals, often sparking chaos like in the film. Let’s dive into this spooky, funny ride

A Haunted Hostel Hijinks: Plot Recap

Romancham follows seven bachelors living in a rundown Bengaluru hostel in 2007: Jibi (Soubin Shahir), Niroop (Arjun Ashokan), Shijappan (Sajin Gopu), Mukesh (Siju Sunny), and others, including Abin Bino and Anantharaman Ajay. Broke and bored, they’re a motley crew of engineering students and jobless dreamers. The story kicks off when Jibi, the group’s prankster, suggests playing an Ouija board to kill time. A hilarious setup—using a water glass and scribbled alphabet—turns spooky when they summon a spirit named Anamika, who refuses to leave.

The first act is a laugh riot. The guys bicker over who invited Anamika, with Shijappan’s nervous rants and Mukesh’s superstitious freak-outs stealing scenes. Strange events unfold: lights flicker, doors slam, and Jibi’s radio blares old Malayalam songs at midnight. Flashbacks show the group’s carefree hostel life—late-night biryani runs, cricket bets—contrasting the growing dread. A local priest (Chemban Vinod Jose, in a cameo) warns of a vengeful spirit, but the guys, skeptical, try to “befriend” Anamika, leading to comedic chaos like a botched exorcism with curry powder.

The second act ramps up the scares. Anamika’s pranks turn sinister—Niroop’s books fly off shelves, and Mukesh finds creepy drawings in his notebook. A subplot reveals Jibi’s guilt over a past prank that hospitalized a friend, tying to his reckless Ouija idea. The group’s attempts to banish Anamika, including a hilarious temple visit where Shijappan faints, keep the laughs flowing. Tensions peak when Jibi lands in the ICU with meningitis, possibly Anamika’s doing, per IMDb. The others rally, using a second Ouija session to confront the spirit.

The climax, set in the hostel’s creepy attic, blends chills and chuckles. Niroop, now the unlikely hero, tricks Anamika into leaving by promising a “better house,” outsmarting her with a decoy Ouija board. The 132-minute film ends with the guys celebrating their victory with a rooftop dance, but a post-credits scene teases Anamika’s return, hinting at Romancham 2. The Bengaluru setting—dingy hostels, bustling streets—grounds the spooky fun, per BookMyShow.

The Good: Spooky Laughs and Relatable Vibes

Jithu Madhavan’s debut direction shines, weaving horror and humor with a natural, lived-in feel, rooted in his real-life Ouija mishap, per Wikipedia. Soubin Shahir’s Jibi is a chaotic delight, his prankster energy driving the comedy. Arjun Ashokan’s Niroop anchors the heart, his arc from skeptic to hero resonating, per IMDb. The ensemble’s chemistry—think late-night hostel banter—feels authentic, capturing Bengaluru’s student life, where shared rentals foster camaraderie and chaos, explained for global fans as India’s Silicon Valley vibe. Sushin Shyam’s soundtrack, with eerie synths and catchy Chirichu Konchava, sets a spooky-fun tone, trending on X.

The 132-minute runtime zips by, balancing jump scares (flickering lights) with laugh-out-loud moments (curry exorcism). The horror avoids clichés, using subtle chills like Anamika’s whispers, earning a 4/5 from The Times of India for its “wonderful formula”. The film’s low-budget charm, shot in real Bengaluru locations, adds grit, per The News Minute. Its global appeal, boosted by Disney+ Hotstar’s April 7, 2023 release, makes it a Mollywood gem, per Filmibeat.

The Not-So-Good: Unanswered Questions and Uneven Scares

Romancham stumbles with loose ends—Anamika’s backstory and Jibi’s meningitis link remain vague, frustrating some X fans. The horror, while effective, leans lighter than expected, with jump scares losing steam in the second half, per The News Minute. Some characters, like Abin Bino’s, feel underdeveloped, diluting the ensemble’s impact. The climax, though fun, resolves too neatly, missing a darker edge. A tighter script or deeper spirit lore could’ve elevated the stakes. Minor technical flaws, like inconsistent ECG visuals in the ICU scene, draw nitpicks, per IMDb.

Performances: A Lively Ensemble

Soubin Shahir’s Jibi is the soul, his mischievous charm and guilt-ridden depth shining, especially in the ICU scene. Arjun Ashokan’s Niroop delivers a career-best, per IMDb, his nervous wit turning heroic. Sajin Gopu’s Shijappan is a comedic gem, his rants earning theater roars, per BookMyShow. Siju Sunny’s Mukesh adds superstitious panic, while Chemban Vinod Jose’s priest cameo brings gravitas. Newcomers Abin Bino and Anantharaman Ajay hold their own, though their roles feel thin. The ensemble’s banter feels like a real friend group, grounding the spooky chaos.

Technical Aspects: Gritty and Groovy

Sanu Tahir’s cinematography captures Bengaluru’s gritty charm—dingy hostel corridors, neon-lit streets—with a claustrophobic edge for horror scenes. Sushin Shyam’s score, blending eerie synths and peppy tracks like Chirichu Konchava, sets the mood, trending on Spotify. Editing by Kiran Das is crisp in comedy sequences but lags in slower horror moments. Sound design—creaking doors, ghostly whispers—amps up chills, perfect for Disney+ Hotstar streaming. Production design, from cluttered hostel rooms to temple pandals, feels lived-in. Minor flaws, like uneven lighting in night scenes, draw slight X critiques.

Audience Reaction: A Mollywood Sensation

X exploded with Romancham love in 2023, with fans memeing Shijappan’s rants and the curry exorcism, per BookMyShow. The attic climax and post-credits tease trended in India, spawning Romancham 2 buzz. Some noted the “light horror,” but theaters roared with laughter, per Times of India. Its ₹70 crore global haul, with ₹41 crore from Kerala, marks it a 2023 blockbuster, per Wikipedia. Disney+ Hotstar streams and the Kapkapiii remake (2025) keep it relevant, per Filmibeat. Rotten Tomatoes’ 85% score reflects critical love, with The Week praising its pace.

What’s your favorite Romancham moment? Vote below!

• Curry exorcism fiasco

• Attic showdown with Anamika

• Shijappan’s nervous rants

• Post-credits sequel tease

Top 5 Moments in Romancham

For Mollywood fans, here are the film’s most unforgettable scenes:

1. Curry Exorcism: The guys’ spice-fueled attempt to banish Anamika is laugh-out-loud chaos, trending on X.

2. Attic Showdown: Niroop’s clever Ouija trick against Anamika blends chills and wit.

3. Shijappan’s Rants: Sajin Gopu’s panic-fueled outbursts steal the show, per BookMyShow.

4. Jibi’s ICU Scare: Soubin’s hospital scene adds emotional weight, gripping viewers.

5. Post-Credits Tease: Anamika’s return hint sparks sequel hype, buzzing online.

Final Verdict: A Spooky Comedy Gem

Romancham is a riotous Malayalam horror-comedy with Soubin Shahir’s chaos, Arjun Ashokan’s heart, and Jithu Madhavan’s fresh direction. Its Bengaluru hostel vibes and Sushin Shyam’s score deliver laughs and chills, though vague plot points and lighter scares temper its edge. A must-watch for fans of Mollywood’s quirky charm, it’s a timeless binge.

Rating: 3.8/5 Stars

A spooky, hilarious ride that’s big on laughs but light on deep scares, perfect for a Disney+ Hotstar night or Kapkapiii warm-up.

Why Watch (or Skip) Romancham

Watch if: You love horror-comedies, Mollywood ensemble casts, or Bengaluru’s chaotic vibe. Ideal for fans of In Ghost House Inn or Stree.
Skip if: You prefer intense horror or dislike loose-ended plots.

Stream Romancham on Disney+ Hotstar, catch Kapkapiii in theaters, and share your take on X with #MovieTimePicks! Explore more Mollywood reviews at The Movie Time.

Tags: Romancham, Soubin Shahir, Arjun Ashokan, Malayalam movie, 2023 movies, Jithu Madhavan, Disney+ Hotstar, movie review, movie recap, horror comedy, Bengaluru, Kapkapiii