Before the ‘Second Show’: How Dulquer Salmaan Almost Debuted in the Iconic ‘Ritu’
Dulquer Salmaan has spent over a decade carving out a unique identity in the Indian film industry, successfully stepping out from the formidable shadow of his father, the legendary Mammootty. While his official entry into cinema is celebrated through the 2012 cult gangster drama Second Show, a recent revelation from acclaimed filmmaker Shyamaprasad suggests the actor’s journey could have begun much earlier.
A Missed Connection
During the pre-release event for his upcoming action-thriller I’m Game, Dulquer Salmaan found himself reflecting on his career trajectory after veteran director Shyamaprasad shared a fascinating piece of industry trivia.
Shyamaprasad, who directed the 2007 critically acclaimed film Ore Kadal alongside Mammootty, recalled his early interactions with a young Dulquer. “I’ve known Dulquer for a long time. When I was shooting Ore Kadal in Chennai, Dulquer was young and used to come play cricket nearby,” the director shared. He then dropped a surprise: “I was supposed to cast him in my film Ritu. It was almost there, but it didn’t happen, unfortunately.”
Released in 2009, Ritu is widely regarded as a watershed moment for Malayalam cinema, credited with helping usher in the “new-generation” wave that prioritized realistic, urban storytelling. While the film eventually served as a launching pad for actors like Asif Ali, Rima Kallingal, and Vinay Forrt, it remains a “what-if” moment in the Dulquer Salmaan chronicles.
Embracing the “Fear Factor”
As he nears his 40th film as a lead actor, Dulquer revealed that his approach to choosing scripts has shifted significantly. Instead of playing to his strengths, he now actively seeks out roles that cause him anxiety.
“I made a decision that I would attempt roles I am most afraid of from now on,” the actor explained. “If it feels familiar, I might take it lightly. Now, when I hear a script and it makes me think, ‘How will I do this?’ I take it on. When I heard I’m Game’s narration, I got scared, thinking about how I would pull it off.”
The Making of ‘I’m Game’
Directed by Nahas Hidhayath, I’m Game is being touted as an ambitious project, described by Dulquer as an “absolute Onasadya (Onam feast)”—a film containing every essential ingredient for a commercial success.
The project also features Antony Varghese (Pepe), whom Dulquer lauded as the “true hero” of the film. “He is like my brother and came to work in the movie as soon as I called,” said the actor. Additionally, he spoke highly of co-star Kayadu Lohar, noting that while her striking appearance sometimes leads to industry misconceptions, she is a deeply talented performer with significant range.
With Nahas Hidhayath’s direction and a premise that pushed Dulquer well outside of his comfort zone, I’m Game is set to be one of the actor’s most anticipated releases. Fans can look forward to seeing this ambitious thriller when it hits theaters worldwide on September 3, 2026.
