I'm Game (film)
| I'm Game | |
|---|---|
 Theaterical release poster | |
| Directed by | Nahas Hidhayath |
| Screenplay by |
|
| Dialogues by | Adarsh Sukumaran Shabas Rasheed Sajeer Baba |
| Story by | Nahas Hidhayath |
| Produced by | Dulquer Salmaan Jom Varghese |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Jimshi Khalid Additional Cinematography: Jomon T. John |
| Edited by | Chaman Chacko |
| Music by | Jakes Bejoy |
Production company | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 171 minutes[1] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
I'm Game is an upcoming Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film directed by Nahas Hidhayath, who co-wrote the script with Sajeer Baba, Ismail Aboobacker and Bilal Moidu, and produced by Sarath T. R. and Jom Varghese under the banner of Wayfarer Films. The film stars Salmaan in the lead role, alongside an ensemble cast of Antony Varghese, Mysskin, Kayadu Lohar, Samyuktha Viswanathan, Kathir, Vinay Forrt and Parth Tiwari.
Principal photography began in early 2025,[2] and continued from 9 March 2025 to 16 April 2026, spanning over 150 locations across South India.[3] The film's music was composed by Jakes Bejoy with cinematography by Jimshi Khalid and Jomon T. John. It was edited by Chaman Chakko.
Initially slated as an Onam 2026 release alongside Khalifa: The Ruler and Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, it is now scheduled to be released on 3 September 2026.[4]
Premise
A fearless gambler who trusts luck more than life gets caught in a series of crazy and unexpected events that turn his world upside down. What follows is a thrilling ride filled with fun, surprises, action, romance and unforgettable moments.
Cast
- Dulquer Salmaan as Dan John
- Antony Varghese as Vicky
- Mysskin as Toni
- Kayadu Lohar
- Samyuktha Viswanathan
- Kathir
- Vinay Forrt
- Jayasudha
- Shyamaprasad
- Prabhakar
- Eldho Mathew
- Parthi Tiwari
- Midhun Venugopal
- Veena Kaladharan
- Neeraja Rajendran
- Cameo Appearances
- Zahrah S. Khan in the song "Loser"
Production
Development
I'm Game was directed by Nahas Hidhayath, who previously directed RDX (2023). The screenplay was jointly written by Sajeer Baba, Bilal Moidu and Ismail Aboobacker, with dialogues by Adarsh Sukumaran and Shabas Rasheed. The film was produced by Dulquer Salmaan and Jom Varghese under the banner of Wayfarer Films. The project was initially associated with the working title DQ40, referring to Dulquer Salmaan's 40th film as a lead actor.[5]
The film was described during its production as a sports-based thriller. Its technical crew includes cinematographer Jimshi Khalid, music composer Jakes Bejoy, editor Chaman Chacko and production designer Ajayan Chalissery.[6]
Casting
Dulquer Salmaan was cast in the lead role. The cast also includes Kayadu Lohar, Antony Varghese, Kathir, Mysskin, Vinay Forrt, Parth Tiwari and Samyuktha Viswanathan. Kayadu Lohar was announced as the female lead, while Mysskin joined the film in a prominent role, marking his Malayalam acting debut.[7]
Antony Varghese, who had previously worked with Nahas Hidhayath in RDX, was also part of the principal cast. Mysskin described his character as an antagonist in the film.[8]
Filming
Principal photography commenced in 2025, with the production beginning in Thiruvananthapuram. Antony Varghese and Mysskin attended the film's pooja ceremony marking the beginning of production. Dulquer Salmaan was expected to join the production during a subsequent schedule.[9]
The film was shot over approximately 11 months, covering 156 shooting days across more than 100 locations in South India. Mysskin completed his portions during the production, with the film subsequently moving through its remaining schedules.[10]
Filming wrapped in April 2026, which was announced by Salmaan on his social media pages.[11]
Music
The film's soundtrack album and background score are composed by Jakes Bejoy, in his fourth collaboration with Dulquer Salmaan, after Salute (2022), King of Kotha (2023) and Kaantha (2025). The first single, "Mazhavillaye" sung by Armaan Malik, was released on 10 August 2026.[12] The second single, "Loser" sung by Salmaan himself was released on 27 August 2026. A trailer theme was released on 1 August 2026, with vocals by Baby Jean, Zeba Tommy and Bejoy himself. The audio launch and pre-release event will be held in Kinfra International Exhibition Centre, Kakkanad at 6:00 p.m on 29 August 2026, where the full soundtrack will be released.[13]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I'm Game Trailer Theme" | Zeba Tommy | Baby Jean, Zeba Tommy | 2:43 |
| 2. | "Mazhavillaye" | Sharfu | Armaan Malik | 4:24 |
| 3. | "Loser" | Suhail Koya, Neeraj Madhav, Reble | Dulquer Salmaan, Neeraj Madhav, Reble, Jakes Bejoy, K.C. Balasarangan | 4:34 |
Release
Theaterical
I'm Game is set to be released on 3 September 2026 in its original Malayalam language, as well as in the Telugu, Kannada, Tamil and Hindi languages. It was originally planned to release on 20 August 2026, clashing with Malayalam films Khalifa: The Ruler and Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, but was postponed due to unfinished post-production works.[4]
References
- ↑ "I'm Game (15A)". Irish Film Classification Office. 27 August 2026. Retrieved 27 August 2026.
- ↑ Cyril, Grace (3 May 2025). "Dulquer Salmaan kicks off the filming for I'm Game; Principal photography started". News 18 Kerala.
- ↑ Sharma, Vinay (16 April 2026). "Dulquer Salmaan's I'm Game wraps shoot; Release planned for August 20". Times of India: Entertainment Desk – India.
- 1 2 "Dulquer Salmaan's I'm Game postponed by 2 weeks: Why the release was pushed to September". The Indian Express. 13 August 2026. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- ↑ "Dulquer Salmaan-Nahas Hidhayath film I'm Game begins filming". Cinema Express. 3 May 2025. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- ↑ "Dulquer Salmaan-Nahas Hidhayath film I'm Game begins filming". Cinema Express. 3 May 2025. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- ↑ "I'm Game: 'Dragon' fame Kayadu Lohar joins Dulquer Salmaan and Nahas Hidhayath's film". The Times of India. December 2025. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- ↑ "Mysskin completes shooting for Dulquer Salmaan-starrer I'm Game". Cinema Express. 19 February 2026. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- ↑ "Dulquer Salmaan-Nahas Hidhayath film I'm Game begins filming". Cinema Express. 3 May 2025. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- ↑ "Dulquer Salmaan wraps 156-day shoot of Malayalam film I'm Game". DT Next. 2026. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- ↑ "Dulquer Salmaan wraps 156-day shoot of Malayalam film I'm Game". DT Next. 2026. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- ↑ "'Malayalam is one of the most challenging languages': Armaan Malik says 'pronunciation is incredibly nuanced' while making a playback debut with 'Mazhavillaye' for Dulquer Salmaan in 'I'm Game'". The Times of India. 2026-08-10. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-08-14.
- ↑ "I'm Game: Dulquer Salmaan's actioner follows single hand's revenge after a transplant, avenging its owner? Find out". Pinkvilla. Retrieved 29 August 2026.