Chempaneerpoovu actor Arun Olympion: Overwhelmed as viewers say Sachi is breaking stereotypes in Malayalam serials

During the pandemic, an architect in Bengaluru made a bold decision to quit his job and pursue his true passion—acting. Starting as a junior artist, he gradually secured roles in popular films. However, his life took a transformative turn with a single phone call during a journey from Kochi to Kozhikode—one that made him the beloved Sachi of Malayalam television.
The inspiring story belongs to Arun Olympion, the actor who won hearts with his debut serial Chempaneerpoovu, portraying the bold yet endearing Sachi. In a candid interview with ETimes, Arun opened up about his journey, from leaving his career as an architect to making a mark in the world of acting.
"My passion has always been acting, and movies were my biggest dream. Honestly, when the team approached me for Chempaneerpoovu, I was hesitant about taking it up. Many even warned me that stepping into TV could affect my chances in films. But Sachi's character fascinated me—he wasn’t the typical male lead seen on Malayalam TV. There was immense scope for performance, something every aspiring actor craves. So, here I am," he shared.
Curious about his unique surname, we asked Arun about the story behind ‘Olympion.’
"I run a gym in my hometown called Olympion Fitness Center. It’s a name that means a lot to me, so I decided to carry it as my surname," he shared.
In a short span, Chempaneerpoovu has climbed to the top of the rating charts, and Arun is overwhelmed to have achieved such a remarkable milestone in his debut venture.
"Never in my dreams did I imagine that my first project would receive such recognition. My only wish was for people to see my acting, but this is beyond words. I can't thank the team and the viewers enough for this love. Chempaneerpoovu is different from the usual serials on TV—it’s not about saas-bahu conflicts or extramarital affairs, but a slice-of-life story. I’ve seen many online comments praising the character, with people saying that both Chempaneerpoovu and Sachi could break the stereotypes in Malayalam serials. I’m truly overwhelmed by such responses," the actor shared.
Reflecting on his most memorable scenes in the show, Arun recalled the emotional sequence where Sachi struggles to gather money for his father’s surgery.
"There was a scene where Sachi breaks down helplessly in front of a Ganapathi idol. Honestly, I didn’t use glycerin for that. I gave it my all, and the appreciation I received for it has been truly rewarding. I also enjoy doing fight sequences in the show. Earlier, I worked as Tovino Thomas’ body double in Thallumala, and with that little experience, I even choreographed some fight scenes for the serial. I’m glad people loved those too," he added.
Amidst all the positive responses, Chempaneerpoovu also faced backlash following the exit of actress Gomathi Priya, who played the lead role of Revathi. Addressing the cyberbullying he encountered due to this, Arun expressed his disappointment, saying it’s disheartening when viewers declare they will never watch the show again.
"As an actor, I am not involved in casting decisions. Gomathi is still a good friend, and she had to leave the show due to her work commitments. But it was disheartening when some viewers started blaming me and my co-stars for her exit. I understand that as a viewer, it’s upsetting when a familiar face is replaced, but attacking other actors serves no purpose. A serial is a team effort, and it’s the livelihood of many people. It’s always better to think before making comments, especially in the online space. However, I am grateful to the majority of our audience who supported us despite the change and helped keep us at the top," he concluded.