Dulquer Salmaan is set to make his much-awaited return to Malayalam cinema with "I’m Game", and the newly unveiled trailer offers a better glimpse into the world created by director Nahas Hidhayath. The trailer presents Dulquer in a flamboyant and stylish avatar, with gambling, money, action and high-stakes confrontations appearing to drive the narrative.
The film marks Dulquer’s first Malayalam release after 2023's “King of Kotha in 2023”. Directed by Nahas Hidhayath, who previously helmed “RDX, “I’m Game” appears to move into a considerably more colourful and international space.
The trailer introduces Dulquer as a character who appears to be deeply involved in the world of betting and gambling, where confidence and luck seem to be his biggest weapons.
The trailer doesn't present Dulquer as a conventional action hero but his character seems to enjoy the thrill of the game and appears comfortable taking risks. However, the carefree attitude gradually gives way to a more dangerous situation as he gets caught up in conflicts involving powerful people.
The trailer also suggests that the gambling element is more than just a character trait. It appears to be closely connected to the central conflict, with the protagonist's decisions eventually putting him in situations where the stakes are considerably higher than money. This gives the film a different flavour from a straightforward gangster or action thriller.
The visual treatment is another major attraction. Dulquer's character is presented in a slick and contemporary style, while the trailer packs in action sequences, colourful locations and an energetic background score by Jakes Bejoy. The action has been choreographed by the Anbariv duo, raising expectations for the film's larger set pieces.
The ensemble cast includes Mysskin, the acclaimed Tamil filmmaker, who makes his Malayalam acting debut with the film, while Antony Varghese, Kathir, Kayadu Lohar and Samyuktha Viswanathan are also part of the cast. Mysskin's character, in particular, appears to have an important role in the conflict surrounding Dulquer's character.
The trailer establishes Dulquer's character, his involvement in the world of cricket gambling and the trouble that follows, while leaving the nature of the larger conflict open. The trailer promises a character-driven action thriller in which luck may start the game, but the consequences could decide who survives it. The film is backed by Dulquer Salmaan and Jom Varghese under the Wayfarer Films banner and is scheduled to hit theatres on August 20, 2026, as an Onam release.
With “Khalifa” and “Bethlehem Kudumba Unit” also targeting the same Onam period, “I’m Game” is also a strong contender in the box office race this year. The trailer, however, makes it clear that the film is aiming to stand apart through its combination of Dulquer's stylish screen presence, gambling-based premise and large-scale action.
For Dulquer, “I’m Game" could therefore be an important homecoming.”
Dulquer’s upcoming releases
“Aakasamlo Oka Tara”, directed by Pavan Sadineni, is an upcoming Telugu drama with Dulquer in the lead. The film is produced by Lightbox Media, Swapna Cinema and Geetha Arts, and also features Satvika Veeravalli and Shruti Haasan. The project is expected to have a multilingual release in Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada and Hindi. The glimpses released so far suggest a more grounded and emotionally driven film, with Dulquer appearing in a rustic setting.
The second project, “Sri Sri”, marks Dulquer's collaboration with debutant filmmaker Ravi Nelakuditi. Earlier known as DQ41, the film was recently given its official title, with the tagline “Love Will Spark Again.” Dulquer is paired with Pooja Hegde for the first time, while the cast also includes Ramya Krishnan, Jagapathi Babu, Dheekshith Shetty, Rao Ramesh and Sachin Khedekar. The film has music by GV Prakash Kumar and is being produced by Sudhakar Cherukuri under SLV Cinemas.
