Cinema VinesDulquer Salmaan’s much‑anticipated Malayalam return, I’m Game, has already crossed the ₹20 crore mark in India, marking a significant milestone for the actor‑producer’s first big‑budget venture. The film, directed by Nahas Hidhayath, follows Dulquer as a high‑stakes gambler and blends action, fantasy and cricket betting into a genre‑driven narrative that has sparked conversation across the Malayalam film community.
Released after a three‑year hiatus, I’m Game features an ensemble cast that includes Antony Varghese, Mysskin, Kayadu Lohar, Samyuktha Viswanathan, Kathir, Vinay Forrt and Parth Tiwari. The mix of talent is intended to broaden the film’s appeal, while Dulquer’s dual role as co‑producer signals his ambition to create a franchise rather than a single‑off project.
Box‑office figures show a steady climb: by the end of day two, the film had earned ₹10 crore domestically after a 14% dip on the second day. The first Saturday (day three) saw an uptick, with projections estimating a ₹6‑7 crore haul that would bring the total to just over ₹20 crore. Internationally, I’m Game collected ₹4 crore on day two, reaching ₹8.5 crore overseas and a worldwide total of ₹20.2 crore. Analysts predict an additional ₹6 crore on the third day, potentially pushing the global figure past ₹25 crore.
Critics have offered mixed reviews. Film business critic Sreedhar Pillai awarded the movie three stars, praising Dulquer’s performance and the film’s “dark side of gambling, gaming and cricket betting.” Pillai noted the first half’s “hook‑and‑hold” quality and a “supernatural interval twist,” but criticized the second half for losing its plot amid flashbacks, forced sentimentality and a revenge‑driven autopilot. He described the film as a “stylish time‑pass watch” that ultimately “overplays its hand.”
In interviews, Dulquer has expressed a clear vision for the project’s future. He stated, “It’s definitely my highest‑budgeted film. As a producer and as an actor, this is the biggest budget I’ve done yet. In my head, because I was like, we have to kind of build this world. And if we’re doing multiple films and it’s going to be a universe we’re creating, I have to invest in the first film. This is my only thing.” His comments suggest that I’m Game is intended to serve as the foundation for a larger cinematic universe.
