Anupam Tripathi, widely recognised for his work in the South Korean film industry, is all set to make his debut in the Indian film industry with IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. The series, directed by Anubhav Sinha and streaming on Netflix, revolves around the infamous hijacking of an Indian aircraft, which remained under custody for a week. Anupam plays a pivotal role as a crucial catalyst in the story, alongside a stellar cast that includes Vijay Varma, Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Dia Mirza, and Arvind Swami, among others.
In an exclusive interview with News18 Showsha, Anupam shared insights into his audition process for the role. He revealed that he auditioned at the end of March 2023 and received confirmation about his casting within just one day. “My audition happened on March 31, 2023. I got a call from Mukesh Chhabra’s office asking if I could audition for a role. I spent the entire night preparing, and around 3 or 4 am, I sent in the audition recording. The next day, I got a call from Mukesh Chhabra saying, ‘We are locking you in for the career-defining role.’ I met him personally as well; he’s a very beautiful human being,” Anupam shared. “After the audition was cleared, I was relieved to have crossed the first hurdle. The second step was to get the script, read it, and prepare for the role,” he added.
The actor, who rose to fame following the success of Squid Game, recalled being in school when the hijacking occurred. Raised in New Delhi, Anupam said, “When you read the script of IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, you get nostalgic and go back to the events of December 24, 1999. I was in sixth or seventh grade when the hijack happened. I remember it being a major topic of discussion on DD News, in newspapers, at school, and even among neighbours. I remember wondering when the passengers would be released and praying for their safety. While reading the script, those memories came rushing back.”
Discussing his character and preparation for the series, Anupam said, “I wanted to portray this kind of character — someone with a dual personality, where what you see is not what it really is.” He noted that he didn’t need to do extensive research on his character or the events because the script and the filmmakers had already done thorough groundwork. “It was a well-researched script; I didn’t have to look for additional references. Our director, Anubhav Sinha, guided us through everything. He’s a fun and heartwarming person. The first time I met him, he said, ‘Welcome.’ And right after, he asked, ‘Khana khaya?’ He’s such a nice person,” Anupam shared. The actor also credited the hairstylists and costume department for helping bring his character to life.
IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack features some of the biggest names in Indian cinema, with veterans like Naseeruddin Shah and Pankaj Kapur reuniting after a long hiatus. For cinephiles, the cast is indeed impressive, and for Anupam, it was surreal to share the same space with such legends. “I met the gurus of Indian cinema who have inspired and motivated actors like me, not just from India but all over the world, to pursue this craft and focus on its nuances. When they were all in front of me, it was an indescribable experience. It was a beautiful moment — being introduced to Naseeruddin Shah, receiving blessings from Pankaj Kapur, discussing topics with Manoj Pahwa, and talking to actors like Kumud Mishra, Aditya Srivastava, and Arvind Swami. The best of actors were there, and you just observe and learn,” he said.
IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack will be available for streaming on Netflix starting August 29.
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