Romans

Romans

Year: 2013

Runtime: 156 mins

Language: Malayalam

Director: Boban Samuel

ComedyThrillerMystery

Two convicts, Akash and Shibu, escape from a train while being transferred to prison. They find themselves in a village on the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, where they are mistakenly identified as visiting priests. Assuming the roles, they revitalize a long-abandoned church and gain the villagers’ trust. Unexpected events during their time in the village lead to a shift in their perspectives on life and society.

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Timeline & Setting – Romans (2013)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Romans (2013). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Poomala, Kerala–Tamil Nadu border

Poomala is a rural village situated on the Kerala–Tamil Nadu border. It houses a century-old Latin Catholic church that has been closed for years, shaping the community's sense of history and faith. The Perunnal festival and the church's revival become central to the village’s identity, drawing locals and outsiders into a shared, yet uneasy, sense of tradition.

🏘️ Village ⛪ Church 🗺️ Border region

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 07:48

Main Characters – Romans (2013)

Meet the key characters of Romans (2013), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Akash / Fr. Paul (Kunchacko Boban)

A convicted criminal who and Shibu disguise themselves as priests to evade capture. He navigates dual identities, balancing self-preservation with a growing awareness of the damage caused by his deception. His actions drive the forestalling of truth, while his past and love interest Eleena influence his path toward accountability.

🎭 Deceit 🧭 Dual identity ❤️ Love

Shibu / Fr. Sebastian (Biju Menon)

Akash’s partner in crime who is drawn into the priestly masquerade. He grapples with loyalty to his friend and a sense of responsibility toward the village, ultimately aiding in the reveal of the truth. His choice to stand by the ruse or reveal it weighs heavily on his conscience.

🎭 Deception 🧭 Loyalty 👤 Dual identity

Thommichan (Lalu Alex)

The village’s wealthiest, most respected man who hopes to reopen the long-closed church. His status and influence drive the community’s actions and lend credibility to the priests’ arrival. His misinterpretation of events intensifies the church’s revival fantasy among locals.

💎 Wealth 🏛️ Social standing ⛪ Church

Fr. Rodriguez (Arun Ghosh)

The kind-hearted former priest of the church who has allegedly died by suicide after a perceived scandal. His legacy casts a shadow over the church, fueling the belief in a curse that kills priests during the festival. His memory fuels the villagers’ longing for redemption and answers.

⛪ Church 💔 Guilt 🕊️ Sacrifice

Eleena (Nivetha Thomas)

Thommichan’s daughter and Akash’s former friend, who reconnects with him and embodies the possibility of forgiveness. Her trust helps bridge Akash’s past with a renewed sense of responsibility. She serves as a moral compass for Akash’s evolving choices.

❤️ Love 🕊️ Forgiveness 👩‍❤️‍👨 Connection

Geevarghese (Nelson Sooranad)

A preacher who distrusts the new priests and becomes a casualty of the community’s superstition. His skepticism highlights the tension between faith and fear, illustrating how quickly belief can turn to frenzy. He ultimately represents the peril of infracting onto sacred spaces with fear-based interpretations.

⛪ Faith 🤔 Skepticism 🧭 Truth-seeking

Pappichayan (Pappi's role) (T G Ravi)

An elderly, highly respected photographer in the village who secretly manipulates events from the shadows. He orchestrates the poisoning scheme to frame a curse and reshape the town’s religious landscape. His actions reveal how power and influence can corrupt communal memory.

🧪 Poison plot 🕵️‍♂️ Influence 📸 Photographer

C.I. Vetrimaran (Nizhalgal Ravi)

The police inspector who pursues Akash and Shibu, embodying law, order, and the hunt for truth. He represents the stand‑up authority that confronts the duo’s deception and imposes consequences. His presence anchors the narrative’s shift from illusion to accountability.

🔎 Investigation ⚖️ Justice 🧭 Pursuit

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 07:48

Major Themes – Romans (2013)

Explore the central themes of Romans (2013), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Deception

Two convicts masquerade as priests to hide from the law, triggering a cascade of beliefs and miracles in a sceptical village. Their ruse reshapes faith, turning superstition into something that feels real to the townspeople. The line between truth and illusion blurs as the community experiences seemingly miraculous events.

🕊️ Redemption

The impostors’ actions force the villagers to confront their own blind faith and the consequences of deceit. The story pits deception against genuine concern for the community, pushing characters toward confession, accountability, and a chance at moral healing. Forgiveness surfaces alongside punishment as the truth emerges.

🧭 Truth

A haunting backstory reveals a supposed curse tied to Fr. Rodriguez and the church, which is ultimately connected to a calculated poisoning scheme. The investigation unravels long-held beliefs, showing how a single manipulation can shape an entire village’s narrative. The pursuit of truth catalyzes a confrontation with collective memory.

⚖️ Justice

Pappichayan’s plot is exposed and he is arrested, exposing the darker side of community influence and vigilante-like actions. The protagonists face legal consequences, though the final scenes hint at an unresolved sense of justice as the pair escape from prison, leaving the village to grapple with what they choose to believe.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 07:48

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Movies about mistaken identity and redemption like Romans

Characters who find purpose and change their lives by pretending to be someone else.Discover movies like Romans where characters unexpectedly find a sense of purpose through mistaken identity. These films often blend comedy and drama, focusing on themes of redemption, community, and second chances. If you enjoyed the accidental priests' journey in Romans, you'll find similar uplifting stories here.

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Small town sanctuary movies with criminals like Romans

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redemptivesurprisinghopefullightheartedsmall townescapesecond chancescommunity

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves an escape or flight from danger or justice, leading the protagonists to a secluded or rural setting. The initial tension of being discovered gradually gives way to the rhythms and values of small-town life. The central conflict shifts from external pursuit to an internal struggle as the characters grapple with their new identities and the guilt or desire to leave their old lives behind.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a specific mood blend: the underlying tension of being fugitives is balanced by the warmth and simplicity of community life. They explore the theme of geographical and emotional sanctuary, where a new environment acts as a catalyst for profound personal change.

Unlock the Full Story of Romans

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Romans Summary

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Romans Summary

Romans Timeline

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Romans Timeline

More About Romans

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