Tom Cruise’s Digger Has A Surprising India Link: Riz Ahmed Plays A Kerala-Rooted Character Gnaesh, But Did You Know Fahadh Faasil Had Auditioned For The Same Role? Here’s What Happened

Tom Cruise’s Digger has hit the theatres finally and it has brought together the Hollywood superstar and acclaimed filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu. The film stars Cruise as Digger Rockwell, a powerful oil tycoon whose drilling activities trigger a major environmental crisis, while Oscar nominated actor Riz Ahmed plays Ganesh, a scientist involved in dealing with the fallout.

While Digger has been making headlines for its unusual story and Tom Cruise’s performance, the film has also caught attention in India because of Riz Ahmed’s character. Ganesh has roots in Kerala and Ahmed’s appearance in the film has drawn comparisons with Malayalam star Fahadh Faasil.

Who Is Riz Ahmed’s Character In Digger?

Riz Ahmed plays Ganesh, a scientist who becomes an important part of the story as the environmental crisis created by Digger Rockwell’s actions begins to unfold. The character was written with South Indian roots. Ganesh’s family is from Kerala which was a choice Ahmed himself discussed while speaking to The Hollywood Reporter India about the character.

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Ahmed explained that he chose Kerala as Ganesh’s place of origin because of the surname and its association with South Indian communities. He also wanted Ganesh’s connection to the sea to complement the character’s interest in the environment and oceans.

Riz Ahmed’s Ganesh Wins Praise From Digger Viewers

Riz Ahmed’s portrayal of Ganesh has also caught the attention of viewers, with several people praising his performance and the way the character has been presented in Digger.

One user commented, “That was nothing short of spectacular. The set design and camerawork were the trade. Tom Cruise flawless but Riz Ahmed MVP with one of the best drunk acting I’ve ever seen.”

Another said, “Digger my best watch of the year. Tom Cruise and Riz Ahmed crushed it. So many dialogues were quote worthy. Loved it.”

“Riz Ahmed, as Ganesh, gave out his best performance till date with his insane comedic skill and he should be talked about more. He really shined as an actor in the scene with Tom Cruise on the plane. You could quite literally feel the hatred his characters feels,” someone else wrote.

Why Is Fahadh Faasil Connected To Digger?