I’m Game: A Wake-Up Call for Dulquer

Dulquer Salmaan’s Kerala Market Concern

Dulquer Salmaan’s latest Malayalam release I’m Game has exposed a worrying trend. Compared with the kind of opening-day pull his earlier Malayalam films enjoyed, the film’s Kerala performance is clearly on the lower side. The Malayalam version of I’m Game collected around ₹4.3 crore net on Day 1, raising questions about whether his home-market advantage is still as strong as it once was.

Dulquer still has a market in Kerala, but his decision to stay away from Malayalam cinema for long stretches may be slowly affecting that connection. He cannot expect the same first-day excitement to remain untouched if the audience has to wait years between his Malayalam releases.

But doing pan-Indian projects and expanding his market is not the problem. It is actually the right move for Dulquer. The question is why he cannot do both.

A good Malayalam film can often be completed in far less time than one of his Telugu or pan-Indian projects. Dulquer could balance his bigger commitments with a strong Malayalam film and remain connected with his home audience. There are directors waiting to work with him and stories that don’t require years of production.

I’m Game should be a wake-up call, not a verdict on Dulquer Salman’s career. His Kerala market is still there, but it needs to be used and protected. Dulquer doesn’t need to choose between Malayalam and pan-India cinema. He needs to find the right balance.