Cinema VinesDulquer Salmaan’s return to Malayalam cinema with the fantasy‑action thriller “I’m Game” has seen a mixed reception, reflected in its box‑office numbers. The film, which opened to a lukewarm response from both critics and audiences, earned ₹8.70 crore during its opening weekend but has since struggled to sustain that momentum on weekdays. On Monday, collections fell to ₹1.50 crore and dipped further to ₹1.12 crore on Tuesday, leaving the film’s net tally at ₹21.62 crore and a gross of ₹25.24 crore in India.
While the movie has surpassed the lifetime earnings of Prithviraj Sukumaran’s “Khalifa: The Ruler,” it still trails Dulquer’s previous release, “Kaantha,” which amassed around ₹22 crore. With only a modest increase needed, “I’m Game” is inching closer to overtaking that benchmark. However, the sharp weekday decline poses a challenge for the film as it heads into its second weekend, where a stronger rebound could improve its overall theatrical performance.
Competition has also been a factor. In the Hindi‑speaking market, “I’m Game” is up against the popular releases “Mirzapur The Movie” and “Hanuman Ansh,” both of which continue to draw large crowds. In the Malayalam market, the film was originally slated for an Onam release but was postponed to avoid clashing with “Khalifa: The Ruler” and Nivin Pauly’s “Bethlehem Kudumba Unit.” Despite the delay, it has managed to eclipse the lifetime collections of “Khalifa,” though it remains far behind the stronger run of “Bethlehem Kudumba Unit.”
The story follows Dan John, a fearless gambler played by Dulquer Salmaan, whose penchant for risk leads him into a series of perilous events. Directed by Nahas Hidhayath, known for “RDX,” the film also features Antony Varghese, Kayadu Lohar, Mysskin, Samyuktha Viswanathan and Vinay Forrt. Produced by Wayfarer Films under the joint banner of Dulquer Salmaan and Jom Varghese, the movie’s music was composed by Jakes Bejoy.
