Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Riz Ahmed Wins Digger Role, Sends Message to Indian Actors
Riz Ahmed is acting in a movie called Digger.
He plays Ganesh, a scientist who advises an oil tycoon played by Tom Cruise.
Vir Das and Fahadh Faasil were also considered for the part.
Vir auditioned twice but was not chosen.
Fahadh said the director did not think his accent sounded right for the character.
He decided not to spend several months in the United States improving it.
Vir felt very disappointed but still liked the movie’s unusual story.
Riz said he was sorry and hoped to work with both actors someday.
Digger is a dark comedy scheduled for release around September 30 and October 2 in different markets.
Riz Ahmed plays Ganesh, a scientist and chief adviser to Tom Cruise’s oil tycoon in Digger.
Vir Das auditioned twice, while Fahadh Faasil was also considered for the role.
Faasil said the director was not satisfied with his accent and asked him to train in the United States.
Das said he was “severely crestfallen” after losing the role but praised the film’s script.
Ahmed apologized, thanked both actors, and said he hoped to work with them in the future.
- Who
- Riz Ahmed, Tom Cruise, Vir Das, and Fahadh Faasil are central to the casting story; Alejandro G. Iñárritu directed Digger.
- What
- Riz Ahmed was selected to play Ganesh in Digger after Vir Das and Fahadh Faasil were considered for the role.
- When
- The film is scheduled for international release on September 30 and North American release on October 2; some coverage refers to October 2 as its cinema release date.
- Where
- Digger is scheduled for international and North American theatrical releases; the articles do not specify filming locations.
- Why
- The role went to Ahmed after Das was not selected and Faasil decided not to pursue accent training requested for the part.
Production’s Casting Decision
Actors’ Perspectives
Accent requirements
Production’s Casting Decision
The production did not consider Fahadh Faasil’s accent accurate enough for Ganesh, who is described as an American of Indian origin, and requested several months of training in the United States.
Actors’ Perspectives
Faasil said the commercial aspects of that process did not work for him and that he did not feel strongly enough about perfecting the accent to proceed.
Reaction to losing the role
Production’s Casting Decision
Riz Ahmed accepted the part and said he hoped to work with Vir Das and Fahadh Faasil in the future.
Actors’ Perspectives
Vir Das said he was “severely crestfallen” after missing out, while still praising Digger’s script; Faasil explained why he did not continue pursuing the role.
- Film
- Digger
- Genre
- Satirical dark comedy
- Director
- Alejandro G. Iñárritu
- Ahmed’s character
- Ganesh, a scientist and chief adviser
- Tom Cruise’s character
- Digger Rockwell, a powerful oil tycoon
- Actors considered
- Vir Das and Fahadh Faasil
- Release schedule
- September 30 internationally and October 2 in North America
