Languages come easy to Anupam Tripathi who began this conversation with a few words in Bangla, also adding that he can sing a song or two in the language. That isn’t really a surprise given that the Delhi boy, having relocated to Korea more than a decade ago, is not only fluent in Korean but also shot into the spotlight with what is undoubtedly the biggest South Korean TV series ever. Anupam played the good-natured, ill-fated Ali in Season 1 of the Netflix blockbuster Squid Game.

Now, the actor, who counts Shah Rukh Khan as his biggest inspiration and continues to star in roles of import on the Korean screen and stage, is all set to make his Indian debut with Anubhav Sinha’s IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack.

The six-episode series, based on the real-life 1999 hijack which remains one of the darkest chapters in Indian aviation and political history, has a huge ensemble cast boasting names like Naseeruddin Shah, Arvind Swamy, Pankaj Kapur, Vijay Verma and many others. Anupam, 38, plays a RAW agent named Ram whose actions and reactions set off the story. Over a video call, t2 chatted with the always smiling and down-to-earth actor to know more. IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack streams from August 29 on Netflix.

As a boy of 11, what are your memories of the Kandahar hijack?

I was very young but I do have memories. It is an unfortunate event that happened almost 25 years ago and I was probably in the sixth or seventh standard then. Like any kid, I was curious to know what was unfolding in the news. I remember the country as a whole being shaken by the incident which haunts us till today.

What can you tell us about the man that you play in the series?

Ever since the trailer came out, friends and family have been constantly asking me who I play in the series. My character, Ram, is extremely integral to the plot. If you remove him from the story, it will not be complete. He is the RAW agent whose intel that the hijack would happen kicks off things in the series. It is a vital role.

Anupam as Ram in IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, releasing on Netflix on August 29

This was an interesting character for me to play because Ram is a very noble character. What constantly motivates him is his love for the country and his constant endeavour to safeguard the nation’s interest.

This is a very well-researched character. Ram has motivated me a lot as an actor and a person. The impact of the character comes from the fact that he is written very well. I only had to add my strengths to it as an actor and enhance it.

To play him, I watched a lot of documentaries. I spent time at the Indian embassy to understand people like Ram and what their motivations are.
Character ke baare mein chhoti-chhoti cheezein thi jo idhar-udhar se pakdi. When I finally reached the set, I worked under the guidance of our director saab (Anubhav Sinha) and the writers. Everyone — from costume designers to make-up experts — has worked hard to make this character who he is. It is a very prestigious project with many well-known names attached to it. I don’t think iss se behtar mere liye aur koi project hota to make my debut in India.

What was it like being a part of such a rich ensemble of actors?

It was one ‘wow’ moment after another for me, to be honest (smiles). I just couldn’t believe my luck! These are the people who I have watched since I was a kid and who inspired me to take up acting. I was actually looking at everyone with my mouth open (laughs).

Manoj Pahwa sir was very encouraging. He spoke to me about Ram’s importance in the story. That was a big energy-booster for me. I got the opportunity to sit and talk and eat with Naseeruddin Shah. He has always been such an inspiration... even today, when I want to sharpen my Urdu, I watch his Mirza Ghalib on TV.

Being directed by Anubhav Sinha took me right back to my childhood love for the music videos of Jagjit Singh that he (Sinha) had directed. I later came to know that he had also directed Seahawks, a Doordarshan show that I loved as a kid.

I always believe in connections and the fact that the universe makes you meet people somewhere. On set, he would regale us with his stories whenever there was a break from a shot. As a director, he is very clear and precise about what he wants from his actors. Being a part of this project has been a dream come true for me. I have a lot of behind-the-scenes photos from this shoot which I cherish.

How did life change for you after the global success of Squid Game?

It has changed a lot for sure. As an Indian actor based out of Korea, I was made the ambassador of a Korean film festival, which was a huge honour. Whenever the president of my university in Korea speaks to someone, more often than not, I am the one whose name comes up as an alumni. It makes me very proud.

But these are all external things. At the core, I am still the same person I was before Squid Game. I always endeavour to keep myself as I always have been. Any kind of situation arises in life, I motivate myself to keep going, to keep laughing. I always keep myself grounded.

Even before you did Squid Game, you had worked in Korean cinema. Did the success of the show bring in better acting opportunities in Korea?

Right after Squid Game, I starred in a show called King The Land, which also became a big hit. In October, my film Rhapsody for the Dead, which was showcased at the Bucheon International Film Festival, will release. It is my first film in Korea in the lead role. I was elated when I saw my name pop up right at the beginning of the credits. It was a very different kind of a high.

I have been doing Korean theatre consistently for the last 11 years. This year marks my 10th year in the Korean film and TV industry. Before Squid Game, I starred in well-known Korean projects like Ode To My Father and Descendants Of The Sun.

I came to Korea as a student and I also had a professional career along with it to back me up. I completed my Masters this year... a lot of people around me thought I would never finish it but I finally did it! (Laughs)

You dabbled in theatre in Delhi before you took off for Korea. What is it about the acting scene there that has made you stay on for more than a decade?

I wanted to hone my skills here. Plus, I have invested a lot of time and mind space and built an acting career in Korea and I intend to keep at it. I have always told myself that the best way to keep going is to keep working, no matter where it is. I have won the AMA scholarship (Art Major Asian plus Scholarship awarded by Korea National University of Arts) twice.

Working in this industry has been lucrative enough for me to be able to help my family financially. That is a big thing for me.

How do you plan to approach your acting career in India?

Wherever I work, I always believe in the fact that story is the most important base and that the actor is simply the medium. After watching IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, I am hopeful that people in the business will realise that I speak Hindi well and that there will be more scope for auditions. Actors go where a good story takes them.

I know that you are hugely inspired by Shah Rukh Khan. What about him and his career motivates you the most?

I am inspired not only by his work, but also by his thinking, the way he talks and his approach to life. I love watching his interviews. When I was younger, I would collect newspaper cuttings of his interviews and reread them! I also share my birthday (November 2) with him. I hope I get a chance to meet him someday.

As an actor, I am also inspired by Irrfan sir. When I watch his films, I keep marvelling at the magic he brought to every scene.