Can Dulquer Salmaan’s ‘I’m Game’ Beat Lucky Baskhar at the Box Office? Onam clash could decide his biggest hit yet

Dulquer Salmaan is all set to make his much-awaited return to Malayalam cinema with I’m Game, scheduled for a grand theatrical release during the Onam festival in Kerala. The film marks his first Malayalam release in nearly three years, following King Of Kotha, and has already generated significant buzz among fans.

However, the road to box office success won’t be easy. I’m Game is entering a crowded festive window and will compete with Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Khalifa and Nivin Pauly’s Bethlehem Kudumba Unit, setting the stage for one of the biggest Onam box office clashes in recent years.

Can ‘I’m Game’ Surpass Dulquer’s Biggest Box Office Hit?

One of the biggest questions surrounding the film is whether it can become Dulquer Salmaan’s highest-grossing film as a lead actor.

At present, that record belongs to the Telugu blockbuster Lucky Baskhar, which collected approximately ₹74.83 crore net in India. It is followed by Sita Ramam, with a domestic net collection of around ₹65.49 crore.

Among his Malayalam releases, Kurup remains his top performer, earning nearly ₹37.79 crore net at the Indian box office.

To claim the top spot in Dulquer’s career, I’m Game will need to cross the ₹75 crore net mark in India—a target that would set a new benchmark for the actor.

A Strong Director Adds to the Buzz

The film is directed by Nahas Hidhayath, who won praise for delivering the action blockbuster RDX, a film that became one of the biggest Malayalam hits of its year with impressive worldwide collections.

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Hidhayath’s reputation for stylish action and commercial storytelling has raised expectations for I’m Game. Combined with Dulquer’s popularity and the festive release period, the film is expected to open strongly at the box office.

Can Positive Reviews Make the Difference?

Dulquer’s previous Malayalam release, King Of Kotha, enjoyed a promising opening but struggled to sustain its run after receiving mixed to negative audience feedback.

Since then, the actor has focused on projects in Telugu and Tamil cinema, while also tasting major success as a producer with Lokah Chapter 1, which reportedly crossed ₹300 crore worldwide.

Now, all eyes are on I’m Game as fans hope the actor makes a powerful comeback in Malayalam cinema.

Box Office Verdict Depends on Audience Response

Trade analysts believe I’m Game has all the ingredients of a festive blockbuster Lucky Baskhar a popular star, an acclaimed director, and strong pre-release excitement. However, its long-term success will ultimately depend on audience reception after release.

If the film earns positive word of mouth and performs consistently through the Onam holiday period, it could not only become Dulquer Salmaan’s biggest Malayalam hit but also surpass Lucky Baskhar to become the highest-grossing film of his acting career.