Mexican filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu’s upcoming English film, Digger, is one of the most-awaited projects of the year. While Riz Ahmed eventually landed a role in the Tom Cruise film, the filmmaker had auditioned some Indian actors beforehand. He even wrote to a 3-time National Award-winning filmmaker from India for recommendations, complaining how nobody seemed to fit the bill. (Also Read: These Indian actors almost landed Riz Ahmed’s role in Tom Cruise’s Digger)
Indian filmmaker recommended Indian actors for Digger
Bijukumar Damodaran, better known as Dr Biju, took to his Instagram account to reveal that Alejandro had emailed him about Digger many years ago. He wrote: “On 22 July 2018, I received a completely unexpected email from one of my all time favourite filmmakers, Alejandro González Iñárritu.”
Biju revealed that Alejandro asked him for recommendations for Indian actors, adding, “He was looking for suggestions for an Indian actor for his upcoming film and asked for my thoughts. I shared a few names, though none of them eventually became 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, with the film “Digger” completed and its trailer finally released, I feel I can share this little memory. It makes me genuinely happy to know that I had, however small, a place in the early pre-production discussions of this film,” wrote the filmmaker, adding, “More than anything, I feel deeply honoured that a master filmmaker like Alejandro has considered me a friend for the past 15 years. Friendships and mutual respect across cinema and cultures are among the greatest gifts this journey has given me. Wishing Alejandro and the entire team of Digger all the very best.”
Alejandro González Iñárritu’s email to Dr Biju
Biju also attached a screenshot of the email Alejandro sent him in 2016. Explaining the kind of Indian actor he was looking for, the Mexican filmmaker wrote, “Hello Biju, This is Alejandro. I hope this mail finds you well and your projects are coming together as you want. I would like to ask you, who is in your mind the best Indian actor, from 40 to 60 years? I do not mind if he is famous or not. I just want a real face, ( not actor face ) that can be endearing and at the same time if he turns serious you will listen to him and if he wants to make you laugh, he could.”
He also stated that the ones sent his way did not look real enough for the role, writing, “I know is to ask a lot but I am looking for a good Indian actor and the ones I have been send are to soft and do not look like real people. Can you send me a list of your favorite names? Please have this very confidential. Just between you and me. Thank you in advance and receive a big hug. Alejandro G Inarritu.”
Digger is scheduled for release on October 2. Tom Cruise, Riz Ahmed, John Goodman, Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Jesse Plemons star in it. Dr Biju is a celebrated director and screenwriter who won National Awards for Veettilekkulla Vazhi (2010), Perariyathavar (2013) and Valiya Chirakulla Pakshikal (2015). He last directed the 2025 film Papa Buka.