Kochi: Dulquer Salmaan’s latest Malayalam film I’m Game opened in theatres with an estimated Rs 5.05 crore net collection in India on Day 1, according to box-office tracking data. The film, directed by Nahas Hidhayath, was released on September 3 and recorded the bulk of its earnings from the Malayalam market.
The opening marks a decent start for the action-thriller, which features Dulquer Salmaan in the lead alongside Antony Varghese, Kayadu Lohar and Mysskin. However, its first-day performance remained behind the opening numbers of Dulquer’s previous major Malayalam success, Lucky Baskhar, according to reports comparing the two films.
I’m Game earns Rs 5.05 crore on opening day
According to Sacnilk estimates cited by multiple reports, I’m Game collected Rs 5.05 crore net in India on its first day across 2,714 shows. Its estimated India gross stood at around Rs 5.90 crore.
The film also performed in overseas markets. Its overseas gross was estimated at around Rs 5 crore, taking the worldwide gross for Day 1 to approximately Rs 10.90 crore.
These figures are early estimates and can be revised as final trade data becomes available.
Malayalam version leads the collections
The Malayalam version was the biggest contributor to I’m Game’s opening-day earnings.
Reports indicate that the Malayalam version collected around Rs 4.30 crore net, while the Telugu version contributed approximately Rs 65 lakh and the Hindi version around Rs 10 lakh.
The figures underline Dulquer Salmaan’s strongest pull in the Malayalam market, where he has a substantial fan base. The actor’s return to a Malayalam-language theatrical release was one of the major talking points ahead of the film’s release.
The movie was released in multiple languages as the makers attempted to reach audiences beyond Kerala. However, the first-day numbers show that the Malayalam market remains the primary source of its domestic box-office revenue.
2,714 shows across India
I’m Game was screened across 2,714 shows in India on its opening day, with an overall occupancy of around 44 per cent according to the early tracking data.
The occupancy indicates a reasonably strong audience response, although the film had to contend with different levels of demand across languages and regions.
The film’s evening shows reportedly performed better in several centres, suggesting that word of mouth could play an important role in determining its performance over the weekend.
The second and third days are expected to be particularly important because Friday and the weekend generally provide a significant opportunity for films to expand their audience base.
Dulquer Salmaan returns to Malayalam cinema
I’m Game is an important release in Dulquer Salmaan’s Malayalam filmography as it marks his return to Malayalam cinema after his previous major Malayalam theatrical release King of Kotha.
The actor plays the central character in the film, which has been promoted as an action-oriented thriller with fantasy elements.
The cast includes Antony Varghese, Kayadu Lohar, Mysskin, Kathir, Vinay Forrt and others. Nahas Hidhayath, who previously directed RDX, has helmed the project.
Dulquer Salmaan has also produced the film under his production banner Wayfarer Films.
How I’m Game compares with Lucky Baskhar
Despite recording a Rs 5.05 crore India net opening, I’m Game has not matched the opening performance associated with Dulquer Salmaan’s Lucky Baskhar.
Lucky Baskhar, which released in 2024, became one of Dulquer’s notable commercial successes, particularly after gaining momentum through strong word of mouth and its performance across multiple markets.
The comparison is significant because Lucky Baskhar established Dulquer as a commercially successful pan-Indian actor beyond the Malayalam industry.
I’m Game, meanwhile, is attempting to combine his Malayalam fan base with audiences in other South Indian markets through its multilingual release.
The opening-day numbers suggest that the film has made a reasonable beginning, but it will need sustained collections over the next few days to establish itself as a major box-office success.
Early reviews could influence weekend collections
The film’s performance over the weekend could depend heavily on audience response.
Early reviews have been mixed, with some viewers appreciating its ambitious fantasy-action premise while others have pointed to weaknesses in the writing and execution. The Indian Express review described the film as a bold attempt that does not always make its creative choices work.
Such mixed reactions could make the second-day and weekend trends particularly important.
If positive word of mouth grows, I’m Game could see a noticeable jump in collections on Friday and over the weekend. Conversely, if audience interest weakens, the film could struggle to maintain its opening-day momentum.
Release faced some opening-day issues
The film also encountered reported distribution and screening issues on its opening day in some locations.
The Indian Express reported that some early morning Telugu shows were cancelled across several centres because of delays, while certain theatres recorded relatively low occupancy.
Such issues can affect a film’s opening-day performance, particularly when multiple shows are scheduled across different cities and languages.
However, the overall India net figure of Rs 5.05 crore indicates that the film managed to register a respectable opening despite those challenges.
What lies ahead for I’m Game?
With Rs 5.05 crore net collected in India on Day 1, I’m Game has made a steady beginning. Its estimated worldwide gross of Rs 10.90 crore gives the film a wider revenue base, although the next few days will determine whether it can convert the opening into a sustained theatrical run.
The Malayalam market will remain crucial for the film, while performance in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi and other markets could determine how successfully it expands beyond Kerala.
Dulquer Salmaan’s popularity gives the movie a strong starting point, but the film will need consistent occupancy and positive audience response to achieve stronger numbers during its first weekend.
Conclusion
I’m Game opened with an estimated Rs 5.05 crore India net on Day 1, while its worldwide gross stood at around Rs 10.90 crore. The Malayalam version contributed the majority of its domestic earnings.
While the opening is respectable, the film has not matched the reported opening performance of Lucky Baskhar. Its weekend collections and audience response will now determine whether Dulquer Salmaan’s latest Malayalam release can build strong momentum at the box office.