In a cricket and cinema-crazy country like India, the influence WWE (formerly WWF) wielded over young kids in the 1990s and early 2000s was nothing short of phenomenal. From Triple H’s iconic water-spit entrance to Kane’s chokeslam and Randy Orton’s RKO, everything was enthusiastically mimicked by an impressionable generation. This despite the organisers’ repeated warnings: “Don’t try this at home or school.”
Arjun Ashokan, as a kid, was no exception. A self-confessed John Cena fan, Arjun vividly recalls post-match debates in school, attempting new finishing moves with classmates and neighbourhood kids, and obsessively collecting wrestling cards. That wrestling fanatic in him is what eventually nudged him towards Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies, a flamboyant, wrestling-based action film that recently hit screens. “I knew I had to do it the moment I heard the first briefing,” says Arjun. “It was an exciting idea, conceived sincerely, and not just as a nostalgia-rekindling exercise. You don’t often get such roles.”
The actor, who has seen his share of failures, admits that until recently, waiting for the right role wasn’t really an option. “You can only pick from what you get,” he says candidly. “For a long time, my pool of choices was limited, and I wasn’t even sure how far I could go. But after films like Bramayugam, Thalavara, and now Chatha Pacha, I feel more confident and eager to do a variety of roles, without repeating myself.”
Set in Mattancherry, Chatha Pacha feels like a homecoming for Arjun. The Kochi suburb has featured prominently in his career, in significant films such as Parava and Thuramukham. “Mattancherry is an emotion,” he exclaims. “Though I was born and raised in Ernakulam, I share a deep connection with the place — the people, culture, food, history… it’s an integral part of my life. Since I know the area inside out, I can blend in effortlessly. I remember a friend from Fort Kochi saying, ‘Correct Kochikaaran aayalla!’ after seeing me on set. That felt like real validation.”
While Savio, who goes by the ring name Loco Lobo, may not be as emotionally layered as Bramayugam’s helpless Thevan or Thalavara’s Jyothish, an acting aspirant with vitiligo, it is easily the most physically demanding role of Arjun’s career. From bulking up to training in wrestling basics and body flexibility, the actor went through a rigorous transformation before stepping into the ring as Lobo, Saturday Night Fight's crowd favourite.
But what made the preps tougher was the timing — Chatha Pacha followed immediately after Thalavara. “In Thalavara, the character comes from an impoverished background, so I had to look weak and worn out. From zero muscle mass, I suddenly had to bulk up for Savio, a Mattancherry youth working on boats. He had to look broad and solid, not shredded. I figured all this out myself and trained accordingly,” says Arjun, who enjoyed the fitness journey so much that he considers that his biggest takeaway from Chatha Pacha. "I’ve never felt this light and energetic, and I don’t want to lose it.”
Alongside Arjun, the film stars Roshan Mathew, Ishan Shoukath, Vishak Nair, and several newcomers. Since the story revolves around brotherhood, some of that camaraderie naturally spilled off-screen. “The three months of training brought us really close,” he says. “The stunts were risky, so we were always watching out for each other. Even a slight timing error could’ve led to serious injuries. There were a few concussions and minor injuries, but the training ensured nothing major happened.” Acknowledging the constant boosting from the live, vocal crowd around the ring, he adds, "Their energy is something else. Even when we were completely drained, their cheers kept pushing us. It was absolute madness.”
Cheering from the sidelines was also Mammootty, who appears in a cameo as Walter, a mentor-like figure. Much like Mattancherry, Mammootty has been a constant in Arjun’s career, and the younger actor is deeply grateful. “This is my third film with him, but I can never get enough of sharing screen space with him. Just being in the same frame as such legends is incredible. That’s why I even did a passing role in Thudarum.”
After eight releases in 2025, many of them long-pending, Arjun is consciously slowing down this year. He has recently begun work on a film produced by Ramaleela director Arun Gopy and is also part of Anchakkallakokkan-fame Ullas Chemban’s Disco, co-starring Antony Varghese Pepe and Lukman Avaran. He is also expanding his footprint in Tamil cinema, with three projects lined up: AL Vijay’s Kadhal Reset Repeat, Moonwalk with Prabhudheva, and Bro Code, co-starring Ravi Mohan and SJ Suryah. “The industry has been incredibly welcoming. It’s overwhelming when they speak fondly of our films and performances. I’m still learning the language, but they always make sure I’m comfortable," he says, as he sounds excited about the new industry and the newer challenges in store.