Ever since the trailer of Tom Cruise’s Digger dropped, a fan theory has been making the rounds online: Did Fahadh Faasil almost star in Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s much-awaited film before Riz Ahmed landed the role? The speculation stems from an interview Fahadh gave in 2025, where he revealed that he had auditioned for one of Iñárritu’s projects but ultimately walked away.
With Digger’s trailer now unveiled and Riz Ahmed playing a key role in the film, many fans have connected the dots and claimed that Fahadh may have been the original choice.
But is there any truth to the viral theory? Here’s what we know.
Why Are Fans Linking Fahadh Faasil To Digger?
Soon after the first trailer of Digger was released, social media users revisited Fahadh Faasil’s old interview with Cue Studio. Since Digger is Alejandro G Iñárritu’s latest directorial venture, many assumed it was the same film Fahadh had referred to.
The speculation intensified after Riz Ahmed’s character poster and trailer scenes were released, with some fans claiming the role appeared similar to one Fahadh could have played.
However, there is no official confirmation that Fahadh auditioned for Digger or that Riz Ahmed took over a role originally meant for him. Neither the actor nor the filmmakers have addressed the viral claims.
What Did Fahadh Faasil Actually Say?
During the 2025 interview, Fahadh spoke candidly about his experience with the Oscar-winning filmmaker. When asked about working with Iñárritu, he joked, “But he didn’t like me, and I got rejected after the auditions.”
He then clarified that it was not a straightforward rejection. “It wasn’t exactly that he rejected me, but he was concerned about my accent. I was asked to stay in America for three to four months to work on it, and no payment was involved. That is why I stepped away from it, because the commercial side of it did not make sense to me. I did not feel enough fire to put in that much effort just to work on my accent,” Fahadh explained.
The actor also revealed that he had a video call with Iñárritu and felt the filmmaker quickly realised he wasn’t the right fit for the role.
Despite missing the opportunity, Fahadh said he has no regrets. He added, “All the magic in my career has happened through Malayalam cinema.”
What We Know About Digger
Directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Digger stars Tom Cruise in the lead alongside Jesse Plemons, Sandra Hüller, Riz Ahmed and John Goodman. The film is scheduled to hit theatres in October 2026 and has already generated significant buzz following the release of its first trailer.
