‘Squid Game’ and ‘IC 814’ Star Anupam Tripathi on Bridging Korean and Indian Entertainment Industries: ‘I Feel Blessed’ (EXCLUSIVE)

When Netflix‘s “Squid Game” became a global phenomenon in 2021, it catapulted its cast into the international spotlight. For Anupam Tripathi, the India-born, Korea-based actor who portrayed Ali Abdul, it marked a turning point in his career that has since spanned continents and industries.

“After ‘Squid Game,’ life has turned around a lot for me,” Tripathi tells Variety. “Everybody knows me in the Korean industry now.” Post “Squid Game,” Tripathi played the role of Prince Samir in Korean drama “King the Land,” which brought increased public recognition. “It happens every time,” he says of being recognized on the streets. “People remember me. They call me Ali. And sometimes after ‘King the Land,’ they started calling me Prince.”

The actor’s rise hasn’t been limited to Korea. He recently appeared in Anubhav Sinha’s hit Netflix India series “IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack,” based on the real-life hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight in 1999. Tripathi plays Ram Chandra Yadav, an operative of Indian intelligence service RAW in Kathmandu.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better character to start with in India,” Tripathi says. “In ‘Squid Game,’ people saw me as naive or innocent. This character was totally opposite. It can show my different side as an actor to the world.”

To prepare for the role, Tripathi immersed himself in research, even visiting the Indian embassy in Korea to observe how officials behave. “I kept thinking about his way of looking at things, how he behaves, how he talks,” he says.

The actor describes Yadav as a “delicate” character, one who must balance a normal exterior with a mind constantly working to protect his country’s interests. “It’s a very thin line,” Tripathi notes. “I cannot go too much. I cannot go too less.”

Working on “IC 814” also gave Tripathi the chance to work with legendary Indian actors. He recalls a day on set when he met veterans like Naseeruddin Shah and Pankaj Kapur. “I saw that table where all the greats were sitting,” he says. “I was like, ‘What is happening?’” Sinha introduced Tripathi and he had a fruitful time discussing aspects of his craft with his seniors.

The experience of working with director Sinha was equally impactful for Tripathi. “He’s a very joyful person,” the actor says. “You feel like you’re doing it for something important.”

Tripathi’s journey in the entertainment industry spans both Korea and India. He completed his master’s degree in acting in Korea while continuing to work on various projects, and his unique position as an Indian in the Korean entertainment industry has opened doors for representation.

“I feel blessed in a way, like I’m able to represent an Indian actor, Indian culture and Korean culture,” Tripathi says. He’s been invited to speak at the Oxford Union and has served as a brand ambassador for Korean film festivals.

Looking ahead, Tripathi has several projects in the pipeline. “Rhapsody for the Dead,” where he plays one of the leading roles of a spirit exorcist, debuted earlier this year at Bucheon and is slated for release in Korea and five other Asian nations. He’s also involved in a U.K. short film as both an actor and executive producer. Another Korean drama is due to commence imminently. The actor is also fielding offers from India following the success of “IC 814.”

Tripathi’s goal is to continue being a bridge between the Korean and Indian entertainment industries while expanding his range as an actor. “I want to be called an Indian actor in Korea,” he says. “I feel so great that I’m representing India and foreign actors also.”

He hopes his work will pave the way for more recognition of international actors in Korea’s entertainment industry. “I wish someday in all the Korean bigger awards, they will have a category for foreign actors also,” Tripathi says.