After the success of his debut action thriller RDX, director Nahas Hidayath has opened up about his second film, I’m Game, billed as Dulquer Salmaan’s 40th feature. In a promotional interview, Hidayath said the project — which wrapped a long shoot of more than a hundred days — deliberately avoids safe, market-tested formulas, and was made possible largely by Dulquer’s willingness to back a risky idea.
Hidayath revealed that I’m Game was actually the script he had first wanted to make as his debut. As an untested newcomer, though, he struggled to find producers willing to put money behind such an experimental concept, so he shelved it and made the tighter, more conventional RDX instead. That film’s blockbuster run gave him the standing to revive his original idea.
A film that resists a single genre
Asked to categorise the film, Hidayath said it deliberately resists one label, describing it as a mix of mystery, action and dark fantasy that shifts as the story moves. It uses a competitive sports setting as the ground for a darker underworld conflict. He credited the success of unconventional thrillers like Mammootty’s Rorschach with giving his team the confidence to attempt something this layered.
The story follows an aspiring athlete, played by Dulquer Salmaan, who has to navigate personal challenges and institutional exploitation to protect his career. The supporting cast includes Antony Varghese Pepe, Kayadu Lohar, Samyuktha Viswanathan and Kathir, along with Tamil director-actor Mysskin, who makes his Malayalam acting debut. Jimshi Khalid handles the cinematography and Chaman Chakko the editing.
Dulquer’s backing
The turning point, Hidayath said, came when Dulquer read the script. The actor-producer recognised the risks but chose to make the film through his banner, Wayfarer Films, telling the director it shouldn’t be watered down for commercial comfort. Hidayath drew a parallel to Dulquer’s father, Mammootty, who has often used his stardom to back bold films like Rorschach and Bramayugam.
The shoot had its share of difficulties, including online speculation about reshoots and the collapse of a custom-built cricket stadium set during a monsoon storm. The film is now in its final stage of post-production, with a worldwide release set for August 20, 2026, timed to the Onam season.
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