Anupam 'Ali' Tripathi's Story About The Surge In Popularity After The Squid Game

JAKARTA - Indian actor Anupam Tripathi got a successful career after playing in Squid Game.

In the Netflix original series Squid Game, Anupam stars as Ali Abdul, a Pakistani migrant who travels to South Korea -- one of the hundreds of people who are in debt -- and competes in a series of games on the Squid Game.

"We felt it would be well received, but when it became a phenomenon and a sensation, it was not expected. I wasn't ready," Anupam said as quoted by Variety, Saturday, October 9.

"I enjoyed every part of being in front of an audience and expressing myself. It's very interesting to be someone and then to be yourself again," he said.

The actor who grew up in New Delhi, India originally wanted to apply to India's prestigious National Drama School which produces some of the best actors in the country. However, South Korea called him.

He then took the mandatory examination and received a scholarship at the Arts Major Asia which was available to study acting at the Korea National University of the Arts. He finally managed to get a bachelor's degree in 2010.

After graduating, Anupam also received offers to play in several South Korean films and series such as Ode to My Father, Descendants of the Sun, and Space Sweepers. However, Anupam's name has been increasingly recognized since his role as Ali in Squid Game.

"This is just a starting point for me. Let's see how far I can go in a better way as an actor or my craft," said Anupam.