Squid Game actor Anupam Tripathi: Had to gain weight to fit perfectly as player 199

Netflix’s Squid Game has become a global phenomenon just in a few days since its release and has been the top most-watched show in more than 90 countries. Anupam Tripathi, who played one of the main characters in the series, is an Indian-born who’s getting recognition all over the world. Meanwhile, according to a recent report on Variety, the actor had to gain weight to fit perfectly in his role.

Anupam, who plays a Pakistani migrant living in South Korea, shared his experience of receiving lauds all over the world. Talking to Variety, the actor revealed that the cast and crew of Squid Game expected that the show will be well received but did not expect that it’s going to become a global phenomenon. “It was not expected – I was not prepared,” he added.

Furthermore, the Korean actor mentioned, “I still remember, September 17, 2021, 4 p.m., my life was OK, but after 5 p.m., it became huge, humongous — suddenly everyone was messaging me and it was ‘Ali,’ ‘Ali’.”

The Indian origin actor has shared multiple BTS footage and images of Squid Game in the last few months. In a picture shared last month, player 199 can be seen running during the game of ‘Red Light Green Light’ alongside player 456, which has been played by the Korean star Lee Jung-jae. “Sometimes no option is the only option you have, so just do it in a way that will create your own magical moments :),” Anupam wrote in the caption.

Tripathi moved to South Korea in 2010 after winning the required scholarship to study acting at the Korea National University of the Arts. Later, the actor was seen in a few famous Korean movies and series including Ode to My Father, which inspired the Bollywood film Bharat that stars Salman Khan, Descendants of the Sun and the 2021 film Space Sweepers.

Tripathi also mentioned to the portal that to fit perfect to his designated role he had to put on some weight. “I gained 5 or 6 kilograms and at least looked like somebody who has some power,” he added.

Squid Game, which also stars Park Hae-soo, Wi Ha-joon, Jung Ho-yeon, O Yeong-su and Heo Sung-tae, can be streamed on Netflix.