Dulquer Salmaan's fantasy action thriller "I'm Game", which received a mixed response during its theatrical run and failed to meet box-office expectations, is set to make its digital debut on JioHotstar on November 6.
| Title | I'm Game |
|---|---|
| Director | Nahas Hidayath |
| Cast | Dulquer Salmaan, Kayadu Lohar |
| Streaming platform | JioHotstar |
| Streaming date | November 6, 2026 |
Directed by Nahas Hidhayath of RDX fame, the film was one of the eagerly anticipated Malayalam releases of the year, marking Dulquer's return to a leading role in Malayalam cinema after King of Kotha (2023). Despite the considerable expectations surrounding the project, the film struggled to sustain its initial box-office momentum following its theatrical release on September 3.
According to box-office tracker Sacnilk, "I'm Game" collected approximately Rs 47.94 crore worldwide, including an estimated India net collection of Rs 25.54 crore. The film's reported budget was around Rs 80 crore, putting its theatrical performance well below expectations. The figures are estimates and may vary across tracking sources.
The film opened on a promising note, collecting an estimated Rs 11.35 crore worldwide on its first day. However, mixed reviews and criticism of its second half affected its momentum, with collections declining considerably in the days that followed.
Also read: I’m Game Movie Review: Dulquer Salmaan shines in this ambitious fantasy sports betting entertainer
A promising premise that divides critics
"I'm Game" follows Dan John, a gambler whose life takes an unexpected turn after a series of bizarre events. Blending fantasy, action, crime and revenge, the film attempts to combine an unusual central premise with the scale and spectacle of a commercial entertainer.
Dulquer headlines the film, which also features Kayadu Lohar, Antony Varghese, Mysskin, Kathir, Samyuktha Viswanathan and Vinay Forrt in key roles. Produced under the Wayfarer Films banner, the film has music by Jakes Bejoy, cinematography by Jimshi Khalid and editing by Chaman Chakko.
While the film's action sequences, technical execution and first half received appreciation from sections of the audience, its narrative came under criticism for becoming predictable after the interval.
Dulquer's performance and the film's technical aspects were among its more positively received elements, but these strengths were not enough to generate the sustained word-of-mouth needed to improve its theatrical prospects.
Dulquer responds to criticism
The film's commercial performance also prompted a public response from Dulquer, who addressed criticism from a fan on social media in October. The actor acknowledged several points raised in the analysis but stressed that filmmaking involves the efforts of hundreds of people and that external circumstances can affect a project's outcome.
Dulquer said he would continue to stand by his team and take responsibility for shortcomings in his projects, underlining the unpredictable nature of filmmaking.
The digital release could give "I'm Game" another opportunity to reach viewers who missed its theatrical run. Its unusual premise, action sequences and ensemble cast may attract audiences on streaming, although the mixed theatrical reception suggests that opinions on the film's execution remain divided.
