Mexican filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu’s upcoming English film, Digger is one of the most awaited projects of the year. While Riz Ahmed eventually got a role in the Tom Cruise film, the filmmaker had already auditioned some Indian actors. He even wrote to India’s 3-time National Award-winning filmmaker for recommendations, complaining that no one fit the bill. (Also Read: These Indian actors almost got the role of Riz Ahmed in Tom Cruise’s Digger)
Indian filmmaker recommends Indian actors for Digger
Bijukumar Damodaran, better known as Dr. Biju, revealed on his Instagram account that Alejandro emailed him about Digger several years ago. He wrote: “On July 22, 2018, I received a completely unexpected email from one of my all-time favorite filmmakers, Alejandro González Iñárritu.”
Biju revealed that Alejandro had asked him for recommendations for Indian actors, adding, “He was looking for suggestions for an Indian actor for his upcoming film and he asked for my ideas. I shared a few names, though none of them ultimately became a part of the project. At the time, I was requested to keep the entire conversation confidential, and I was happy to do so.”
“Now, after so many years, that the film “Digger” is complete and its trailer has finally been released, I feel I can share this little memory. It truly makes me happy to know that I had a place in the early pre-production discussions of this film,” the filmmaker wrote. “More than anything, I feel deeply honored that a master filmmaker like Alejandro has considered me his friend for the past 15 years. In Cinema and Cultures Friendship and mutual respect are among the greatest gifts of this journey. I wish all the best to Alejandro and the entire Digger team.
Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu’s email to Dr. Biju
Biju also attached a screenshot of the email that Alejandro had sent him in 2016. Explaining what kind of Indian actor he was looking for, the Mexican filmmaker wrote, “Hello Biju, this is Alejandro. I hope you like this mail and your projects are coming as you want. I want to ask you who is the best Indian actor from 40 to 60 years in your mind? I don’t care if he is famous or not. I just want a real face, (not an actor). Face) that is cute. Maybe as well if he gets serious you will listen to him and if he wants to make you laugh, he can.
He also said that the people he sent didn’t seem real enough for the role, writing, “I know that’s a lot to ask, but I’m looking for a good Indian actor and the ones I sent are soft and don’t look like real people. Can you send me a list of your favorite names? Please keep it very confidential. Just between you and me. Thanks in advance and a big hug. Alejandro G. Iñárritu.”
Digger is scheduled to release on October 2. tom cruise, It stars Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Huller, Michael Stuhlbarg and Jesse Plemons. Dr. Biju is a renowned director and screenwriter who won National Awards for Vettilekulla Vaazhi (2010), Perariathavar (2013) and Valiya Chirakulla Pakshikal (2015). He last directed the 2025 film Papa Buka.