Fans from around the world have grown to love the talented cast of Netflix’s Squid Game, with Abdul Ali being one of the few likable characters on the show. Anupam Tripathi, the skilled actor who plays the Pakistani immigrant, is actually originally from India.
Tripathi has had a fascinating professional journey before landing his major role in Squid Game and it wasn’t always easy for the actor. From how he’s managed to overcome language barriers to his growing social media presence, there are a ton of fascinating facts that fans should know about the breakout star.
9 Height
Tripathi is five foot six, or about 1.72 meters. This is slightly above average compared to the average male height in India, which is around five foot five, or about 1.65 meters (according to Insider).
The actor is a few centimeters shorter compared to his co-stars on Squid Game. There’s only a slight difference between his height and Park Hae-soo and Lee Jung-jae’s 1.81 meters, who play Cho Sang-woo and Seong Gi-hun on the show, respectively. Jung Ho-yeon who plays Sae-byeok on the series is also a tad taller at 1.76 meters.
8 Age
Tripathi was born on November 2, 1988, which means he’s currently 32 years old. He has been in the acting industry for over a decade, gaining valuable experience throughout the years before his role as Ali in Squid Game.
Fans won’t be surprised to learn that Tripathi is a Scorpio. Much like his character on the show, the actor is likely loyal, strong, and smart. Scorpios enjoy taking on challenges and are drawn to new experiences. They tend to guard their private life fiercely and rarely reveal personal details.
7 Scholarship
Fans will be glad to know that one of the smartest characters on Squid Game is also brilliant outside of the show. An article by SBS News details how in 2010, Tripathi was able to move to Korea after taking his friend’s advice about applying for a scholarship.
It just so happens that the school Tripathi got into, Korea National University of Arts, is also one of the best art universities in the country. Although his family originally did not approve of his decision to move to Korea to study, they have come around after his massive success on the show.
6 Language
One of Tripathi’s biggest struggles after moving to Korea was learning the language. Since he was born in New Delhi, India, he was more used to speaking Hindi with his friends and family. In an interview with Arirang News, Tripathi highlights how it took him a long time to overcome cultural and language barriers. He never gave up, though, saying that despite the situation being “tough and difficult,” he has always challenged himself to just “move one more step.”
Thanks to his persistence and years of practice, Tripathi has overcome the language barriers. He’s now trilingual, as he is able to speak Hindi, English, and of course, Korean.
5 Theater Career
Before his acting career took off, Tripathi had a few roles in theater productions that highlighted his ability to portray different kinds of characters. According to Kpopmap, the actor has been participating in these productions since his university days, even joining various film and drama festivals in the country.
One of his more memorable roles is in a musical called “Momo” where he was cast as a villainous grandfather who was trying to take young people’s lifeforce. This unique role is a testament to Tripathi's wide range as an actor, even during his early years in the industry.
4 Acting Career
Although Tripathi started his acting career in India, most fans know him for his minor roles in Korean shows and movies. He had a small role as a helpful power plant worker in the popular K-drama, Descendants of the Sun. He also played an immigrant in one episode of Hospital Playlist.
Tripathi has appeared in other Korean films like Space Sweepers, The 8th Night, and Miss & Mrs. Cops. His K-drama debut as part of Squid Game’s major cast is well-deserved, considering his talent and how many years of experience he has under his belt. While Tripathi's minor roles were entertaining, none of them have the same impact as Ali’s horrific moments on Squid Game.
3 Character Research
One of the reasons Tripathi’s portrayal of Ali was so emotionally powerful and convincing is that he went above and beyond to make sure he understood his character. The actor went out of his way to speak with immigrants about their experiences and spent time listening to their personal stories.
Tripathi highlights the importance of doing character research in that way, saying “As an actor, you observe, feel, and you try to grasp that idea of a person: how and why he is like that, and what he’s desiring.” He continues on to state how “all those things come when you talk to different kinds of people” (according to Arirang News).
2 Social Media Presence
Like other Squid Game actors’ social media accounts, Tripathi’s online following has become significantly larger after the show was released. Fans who want to see behind-the-scenes photos from Squid Game and Tripathi’s other projects can head over to his feed, which features a lot of images from the show’s set.
He recently posted an image on his Instagram account to announce that he has surpassed 2 million followers. Tripathi’s fame continues to soar as more viewers discover the popular show. At the time of publication, he has garnered 500,000 new followers, bringing the number up to a whopping 2.5 million.
1 Relationship Status
Not a lot is known about Tripathi’s private life, as he usually talks about his professional experiences and keeps personal details to himself. Like a true Scorpio, the actor values his privacy and tends to keep the spotlight on his work activities.
Although it hasn’t been confirmed by the actor or his colleagues, it looks like Tripathi is currently single. He hasn’t mentioned his relationship status or posted a photo with a romantic partner to date, but it’s still possible that he simply wants to keep those details out of the public stratosphere.
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October 07, 2021 at 12:00AM
