I’m Game Review: Is Dulquer Salmaan the Film’s Biggest Strength?

Release Date: September 03, 2026

Starring: Dulquer Salmaan, Kayadu Lohar, Mysskin, Antony Varghese and others

Director: Nahas Hidhayath

Producers: Dulquer Salmaan

Music Director: Jakes Bejoy

Cinematographer: Jimshi Khalid

Editor: Chaman Chacko

Story:
Dan John, played by Dulquer Salmaan, is a compulsive gambler who loses everything and falls into heavy debt. He turns to cricket betting in an attempt to recover his losses but ends up losing whatever he has left. A desperate act puts his life at risk, following which he slips into a coma. When Dan wakes up, he discovers that something strange has happened to him. The mystery surrounding this unusual phenomenon and how he deals with the resulting chaos forms the rest of the story.

Plus Points:

The film’s biggest strength is its fresh and intriguing premise, which immediately creates curiosity. Dulquer Salmaan delivers a convincing performance and effectively portrays the different shades of his character, with the interval sequence standing out. Kayadu Lohar shares decent chemistry with Dulquer, while Antony Varghese makes an impact with his emotional performance in the second half. The stylish action sequences, rich cinematography, energetic background score and strong production values further enhance the overall presentation.

Minus Points:

Despite its promising concept, the film follows a fairly conventional treatment, especially in the second half. The narrative loses momentum as repetitive and predictable scenes begin to dominate, making several action sequences less exciting. The cricket betting backdrop also does not offer much novelty. The lengthy runtime affects the pace, while Mysskin’s antagonist lacks the intensity and screen presence needed to make the hero-villain conflict more impactful.

Technical Aspects:
Director Nahas Hidhayath starts with an interesting concept and handles a few sequences effectively. However, the film struggles to maintain its momentum in the second half. Better pacing and tighter writing could have turned the premise into a more engaging thriller. Chaman Chacko’s editing works well during the action sequences, but several slow and repetitive portions could have been trimmed. Jimshi Khalid’s cinematography gives the film a rich and stylish visual appeal. Jakes Bejoy’s background score is among the film’s strongest technical aspects, particularly during the action scenes. The overall production quality is impressive.

Verdict:
I’m Game has an interesting premise and benefits greatly from Dulquer Salmaan’s performance and strong technical work. However, the predictable second half, repetitive scenes, lengthy runtime and relatively weak antagonist prevent the film from becoming a compelling action thriller. It works in parts and may appeal to viewers looking for a fresh concept, but expectations should be kept in check.