Fahadh Faasil, celebrated as one of the most versatile actors in Indian cinema, recently revealed that he missed an opportunity to work in an international project directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, renowned for acclaimed films like The Revenant and Birdman.

In a candid interview with Cue Studio, Fahadh disclosed that the role didn’t work out due to concerns over his accent. “It was not like he rejected me, but it was the accent that he was concerned about. To perfect the accent, I was told to go to the US and stay there for three or four months. But they weren’t ready to pay for that. That’s why I skipped it. Otherwise, I would have gone running. The commercial aspects of it wouldn’t have worked out,” the actor explained.

Fahadh further added that he spoke to Inarritu over a video call, during which the director might have realized he wasn’t the right fit. “Such things happen. There have been many films I lost during such meetings. All the magic in my life happened here in Malayalam. Even in the future, if any new changes were to happen, I want them to come from Malayalam. I don’t think I will leave Kerala for that,” he said.

Although Fahadh did not reveal the project details, Inarritu’s upcoming untitled film starring Tom Cruise is set for release in October 2026. The film follows the story of the “most powerful man in the world” on a desperate mission to save humanity from a disaster of his own making. The ensemble cast also features Sandra Hüller, John Goodman, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jesse Plemons, Sophie Wilde, and Riz Ahmed.

Fahadh Faasil was last seen in Maareesan and will next appear in the romantic comedy OKCK, slated for release on August 29.