Dulquer Salmaan's 'I'm Game' gets UA 16+ certificate, releases September 3
Synopsis
After a postponement from 20 August to 3 September, Dulquer Salmaan's action entertainer 'I'm Game' has cleared the CBFC with a UA 16+ certificate and is now officially headed to theatres in five languages. Shot across 156 days and over 100 locations, this is one of the most ambitious Malayalam productions of the year — and its pan-India multilingual push signals a clear bet on crossover appeal.
Key Takeaways
Dulquer Salmaan 's 'I'm Game' has received a UA 16+ certificate from the CBFC , clearing it for theatrical release.
The film releases worldwide on 3 September , pushed from its original date of 20 August .
It will release simultaneously in five languages : Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada.
The production spanned 156 shooting days across more than 100 locations in South India over 11 months .
The film is directed by Nahas Hidhayath and produced by Dulquer Salmaan and Jom Varghese under Wayfarer Films .
Music is by Jakes Bejoy ; action choreography by Anbariv Masters .
Dulquer Salmaan's highly anticipated action entertainer 'I'm Game', directed by Nahas Hidhayath, has received the green light from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) with a UA 16+ certificate, clearing its path to a nationwide theatrical release on 3 September. The certification announcement was made by production house Wayfarer Films on its official social media channels.
CBFC Clearance and Booking Update
Wayfarer Films confirmed the development with an announcement that read: 'No more waiting around — the dice have rolled! I'M GAME has bagged its U/A 16+ certificate and is officially theater-bound. Bookings open at 5 PM.' The post signalled the end of a prolonged wait for fans of the Malayalam star.
Why the Release Was Postponed
The film was originally slated to release on 20 August this year before the makers chose to push the date to 3 September. Dulquer Salmaan personally addressed the delay, framing it as a strategic decision rather than a setback. 'The game gets bigger. The release gets wider. We understand the anticipation and we apologize for the delay, but #imgame will now release worldwide on 3rd September, moving from its earlier release date of 20th August,' he said.
The actor elaborated that the new date was chosen to enable a significantly wider theatrical footprint. 'The new release date comes with a larger vision for the film as #imgame gears up for a wider theatrical release across markets. The film will now simultaneously release in multiple languages — Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada — taking the experience to audiences across the country and beyond,' he added.
Scale and Production Details
'I'm Game' marks Dulquer Salmaan's return to Malayalam cinema and has been mounted on an ambitious scale. The production spanned an extensive 11-month shooting schedule across 156 days, with filming conducted across more than 100 locations in South India. The film has been produced by Dulquer Salmaan and Jom Varghese under the Wayfarer Films banner.
Cast, Crew, and Music
The film features a strong ensemble cast including Antony Varghese, Mysskin, Kayadu Lohar, Kathir, Parth Tiwari, and Samyuktha Viswanathan. Music has been composed by Jakes Bejoy, while the action sequences have been choreographed by Anbariv Masters. With a pan-India multilingual release strategy, the film is positioned as one of the bigger Malayalam productions of the year.
With bookings now open and the CBFC certificate in hand, all eyes turn to how 'I'm Game' performs at the box office when it opens on 3 September.
Point of View
But the real test is whether a Malayalam action film with a UA 16+ certificate can hold its own against established Hindi and Tamil competition in a crowded September corridor. The 156-day shoot and 100-plus locations signal genuine scale, but scale alone does not guarantee box-office returns. The multilingual release strategy, increasingly common for mid-to-large Malayalam productions post-'Manjummel Boys', reflects a broader industry pivot toward pan-India positioning — and 'I'm Game' will be a useful data point on whether that model works for an action-genre film rather than a survival thriller or comedy.
NationPress
1 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What certificate has 'I'm Game' received from the CBFC?
The Central Board of Film Certification has cleared 'I'm Game' with a UA 16+ certificate, permitting its theatrical release across India. The certification was confirmed by production house Wayfarer Films on its social media channels.
When is 'I'm Game' releasing in theatres?
'I'm Game' is set to release worldwide on 3 September, after being postponed from its original date of 20 August. Ticket bookings opened following the CBFC clearance announcement.
Why was 'I'm Game' postponed from 20 August to 3 September?
Dulquer Salmaan announced that the postponement was driven by a larger vision for the film, specifically to enable a wider multilingual theatrical release across more markets. The film now releases simultaneously in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada.
Who is in the cast of 'I'm Game'?
The film stars Dulquer Salmaan in the lead and features an ensemble cast including Antony Varghese, Mysskin, Kayadu Lohar, Kathir, Parth Tiwari, and Samyuktha Viswanathan. Music is composed by Jakes Bejoy and action is choreographed by Anbariv Masters.
What is significant about 'I'm Game' for Dulquer Salmaan?
'I'm Game' marks Dulquer Salmaan's return to Malayalam cinema and is one of his most ambitious productions to date, shot over 156 days across more than 100 locations in South India. He also co-produces the film under his banner Wayfarer Films alongside Jom Varghese.
