Romancham review: An incomplete fun ride that keeps audiences wanting for more

An Ouija board has seldom been a character in Malayalam movies. But yeah, Mammootty-starter Aparichithan (2004) introduced the Ouija board to the Malayali audience.

Even though the film didn’t do well at the box office, the spirit board, and the spirits, were discussed even by school students. Nearly a decade later, Romancham deals with an Ouija board. But, here, the spirits rarely turn to fierce acts.

Romancham is the story of a group of youngsters living in Bengaluru, who come across Ouija boards and a spirit named Anamika.

Since these youngsters are jobless, they have enough time to enjoy their urban life. But it’s not a bachelor-type movie like Mariyam Vannu Vilakoothi or Kili Poyi.

Soubin Shahir as Jibi and Arjun Ashokan as Siju are known faces in the movie. The rest of the actors are newcomers, mostly.

Chemban Vinod Jose also has a brief role in this humorous film.

Fun and horror

Romancham is a fun-filled movie that is similar to the Tamil movie Goa and the Malayalam flick Nee Ko Nja Cha.

It’s party time for the seven friends in the movie. If one is addicted to drugs, another one uses Pan Parag. As their life goes forward, Jibi is fascinated by the Ouija board and he insists his friends play it with him.

The reluctant friends finally start to use the spirit board and the happenings that follow, are the main plot of the movie.

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Situational comedy works out in Romancham. But, at the same time, some moments just don’t make the audience laugh.

A movie with comic and horror elements is a good combination. Malayalam movies such as Pakal Pooram and Vellinakshatram are those that worked to an extent when this formula was tried.

Romancham also works with comedy and horror, but has loose ends that could have been trimmed. Since the movie is more focused on comedy, even the horror moments draw loud applause in the theatre.

Based on real-life incidents

The story of the movie is based on real-life incidents of a group of youngsters in 2007 that happened in Bengaluru.

The script by debutant director Jithu Madhavan is a decent one. Even though his efforts have to be praised, the film ends as an incomplete one. A second part is planned by the crew, as per the climax.

Old mobile phones and motorbikes are some of the nostalgic elements the makers have tried to embrace in the movie.

The songs by Sushin Syam, especially Aadharanjali Neratte, have a fan following in Instagram reels.

There are many references in the movie that hooks the audience. For example, the conversation between Jesus Christ and the Hindu God Krishna, and the image of an actress.

Soubin Shahir and the team of young actors are good at delivering humour.

Vague ending

The main problem with the film is its vague end. The audiences sit inside the cinema hall for more than two hours hoping for the story to clarify everything.

Arjun Ashokan’s character should have been explored more, especially in the second part. His character is incomplete. Even the identity of the ghost needs to be explained.

Understandably, the movie has a second part. But there are also movies like Adi Kapyare Kootamani, which ended with the entry of a ghost in the climax. Let’s hope that Romancham 2 will start rolling soon.

However, it is an honest attempt by a group of youngsters who also joined hands together as producers — director John Paul, cinematographer Girish Gangadharan, and Joby George.

Verdict

Romancham is a fun ride that is incomplete in its making but keeps the audience curious through to the end.

(Views expressed are personal.)