By David Ajiboye

“…you have to pass through darkness to get to dawn”, Mike Ezuruonye.

Top Nollywood actor , Mike Ezuruonye, reveals in this chat with David Ajiboye, for africanmoviestar.com, why he’s a reserved person and why he keeps to himself. Excerpts:

Is acting all you wanted to do at the beginning?

Let us just say acting chose me. While growing up, I’ve been involved in acting one way or the other. But professionally I was dragged into it by Ruke Amata.

Which was your first movie and which year was that?

Funny enough, my first movie hasn’t seen the light of the day. The film was shot in 2005. The movies that took me into peoples’ consciousness are Broken Marriage and Critical Decision.

How does it feel to go through so much stress all in the name of acting?

Though tiring, it is fulfilling. The demand is quite much but we have to keep doing what we know how to do best.

I’m sure the money you’re making is worth your while?

I don’t know about that, but we thank God for everything.

Is it true you’re making lots of money?

Let me just say I can afford to pay certain bills and attend to some needs.

Recently you were in America for a tour..?

(Cuts in) I was there, but not for the tour. I didn’t go for it because I had a certain disagreement with their contract. The conditions were not right.

How does it feel when fans are all over you when you go out of the country?

Trust me; the love we get out of the country is great and enormous. It is so large. But to me, it means people are watching me and I have to improve on what I’m doing.

An A-list actor said you have displaced Ramsey Nouah Jr ?

I am not going to say I’ve displaced anybody. Let’s not forget that Ramsey is one actor you cannot disrespect at all because whether we like it or not, as a result of Ramsey, we have a lot of young men in the industry today. Everybody has her own talent, so nobody can displace anybody and, I have respect for Ramsey any day any time. He is one of the greatest actors Nollywood has ever produced.

I heard that lots of women are finding abode under your tent?

If you see women around me, It’s just that they appreciate my work. I’m only building my tent in Nollywood where I express my craft with passion.

Are there women who want to go the extra mile for you?

I don’t know about that. All I know is that when people appreciate my works, I thank them in return.

Do you appreciate them in cash or in kind?

You are getting me wrong. I don’t appreciate them in cash or in kind. It’s just an act of goodwill, a smile, and thank you very much.

Has being on tv changed your life?

Most definitely. It has it’s merits and demerits. Demerit in the sense that your privacy is taken away from you. Some people are out to see you make a wrong move, while some are out to crash your image without any reason. The merit is that doors open up for you here and abroad. People welcome you to their homes, you are given a lot of pleasure and people are happy. To me that is very fulfilling.

I learnt that the Ghanians are taking over the market because the marketers want to use them as market leverage in Ghana, how true is that?

We should be our brothers keeper. If there is any alliance, it is okay but the people who run the industry should know how to balance the equation.

Are you feeling the pinch like other actors?

I don’t want to sound selfish, but I’ll like to thank God.

How many movies do you do in a month?

When you get to a level, you have to be very careful. I do a lot of screening regarding the script I take, and that is why I don’t think I do more than two movies in a month.

You’ve been accused of many things and one of them is that you kiss passionately on set, what do you say to that?

This is the first time I’m hearing that. I just do my things and get out of there.

Which actress do you enjoy working with most?

I have a working relationship with every actress, both the upcoming and the stars. My motto is to be as natural as possible. If you want me to be friendly, I will be friendly and If you want me to be harsh, I will be harsh and you will forget that you are watching a movie.

I read something about you taking a girl abroad and dumping her?

I told you earlier that some people want to scratch your image. Why will I need to borrow from somebody? My father used to tell me that a borrower would go a sorrowing. I can afford to buy certain amenities with what I do. I never borrowed from any girl, it is so unfounded.

Why do you think such allegation was made against you?

I told you that people just want to scratch your image.

Have you had any fan that has gone to the extreme with her emotions or her anger with you?

That happens all the time. One of such is an experience I had sometime ago when I was outside the country. Some group of fans worked up to me, I think they’re from Aruba, in the Caribbean and they were so crazy, the madness was too much and my cloth got torn and I had to buy another shirt at the mall.

Which of your movies has been the most memorable.?

Lots of them, I can’t pick anyone now, I just put my best in all I do.

Who is the lucky woman in your life?

She doesn’t want to be made public now. By God’s grace, If we get married, you’ll know her. But I’m into relationship.

How many times Have you fallen in love?

No comment.

How many frogs Have you kissed before meeting your princess?

(Laughs) I’ve not. I guess I don’t like talking about my relationships. Let’s put it this way, you have to pass through darkness to get to dawn.

What is it that you look for in a woman?

She has to be God-fearing because He is the reason why I’m here today. He has put me on this pedestal and she must have a good character and be down-to-earth. Those are the basic qualities. She also has to be beautiful.

Is Mike a heart breaker?

I don’t consider myself a heart breaker.

How do you end a relationship that you feel cannot work?

Relationship start with two people, it is a mutual agreement. And If it should end, it should be mutual.

When is Mike getting married and what does love means to you?

When that time comes, you will know. Love is a feeling where you float in happiness and joy and you don’t feel any hurt.

“THE ONLY ROLE I CANNOT PLAY IS THE ROLE OF A WOMAN” -OSITA INEME

David Ajeboye, entertainment reporter for the Nigeria Tribune, Nigeria’s Entertainment Reporter of the Year, staff reporter for AfricanMovieStar.com holds his first interview since he joined the staff

Pint-sized actor Osita Iheme has come a long way in the Nigerian movie business popularly called Nollywood. Together with his acting mate, Chenedu Ikedieze, they have taken the Nigerian movie industry to the next level with their acting prowess. In this interview, Pawpaw, as he’s popularly known, opens up on how it all began, his sex life, his kind of woman and movies generally. Excerpts:

What made you think you could act?

I love acting and I believe I could do well. God and my family supported me spiritually, emotionally and morally. That was why I decided to act.

If you were not an actor, what would you have been?

I believe God would have provided another thing for me to do. It could have been anything.

You had this captivating grip on people when you came on the scene. What do you think was responsible for that?

I would say we all have unique features at creation. I believe I’m different and peculiar. I believe God made me different so that I would stand out from the crowd wherever I am. I believe that is why I look catchy; you know, being a particular person, everything you do attracts other people.

You speak better English than most people in your industry. Did you learn that in school or through personal development?

Even one’s time in secondary school has to do with personal development. So it is a result of my time in school and personal development.

How many movies have you done?

I have over 80 movies to my credit.

Has that made you a millionaire?

I’m comfortable. I can’t say if I’m a millionaire or billionaire.

Is it true you charge over N500,000?

I charge whatever I think is okay for me.

Who is helping you spend the money?

Family, my God and myself help me spend the money. And I thank God I’m doing well.

Since one cannot be on the scene forever, what do you hope to do when you leave acting?

I’ll continue to act all through my life. I don’t pray to leave acting. Even if I do other things, I will continue to act. Acting does not have an age limit. I can still act at 100.

What other things do you do aside acting?

I model. I’m sure you’ve seen one or two of them. I also do some businesses outside entertainment.

We never knew you could dance until we saw you on the stage of African Movie Academy Awards.

As a showbiz guy, one is supposed to be versatile; and as an actor, you will always act. Dancing is actually in me and I believe that I can do well. Before the issue of everybody singing, I wanted to sing; I left my music in the studio, so I am cooling down till the craze of actors’ singing passes. I know it is part of my future. I don’t want to release everything I have now.

Why did it take you so long to break away from the comedy roles to start playing mature roles?

You know in the Nigerian film industry, marketers continue to use you for the same role you play in a blockbuster film. What happened was that comedy brought us to the limelight and everybody wanted us to do comedy for them and we were shooting comedy because we were seeing the money. We were carried away seeing that kind of money coming to us, so we did not mind that kind of job. After a long time, I decided to repackage myself to come out with a good image. It doesn’t mean we don’t do comedy again. If you bring a very good script, I will do it, not the mischievous act of Aki and Paw Paw you used to know.

How did you get to participate in your first movie?

My first movie was Cold Blood in 2001. I went for an audition and they saw my physique. It’s like what I said about everybody’s uniqueness; that played an important role in my case. That audition was in Aba. My first lead role was in Aki na Ukwa. That was the movie that brought Chinedu and I together and that was in 2003.

Do you think your kind of actor would continue to sell since you said you would act for as long as you are able to?

Of course I still have a lot to showcase. I have not expended all I have. Stories are different so you will have to play different roles. I believe I will continue to sell. I don’t carry myself anyhow and I manage myself well. If I see this is not working for me, I withdraw and repackage myself. This is my profession so I take it very serious. I don’t do it for doing sake. I went to New York Film Academy to study on the job. I paid almost $5,000 as school fees. I can’t go to all that length and misbehave. I present myself in a way that would suit the public.

Is there any role you cannot play?

The only role I cannot play is the role of a mother because I’m not a woman. I can play any other role.

Will your deep involvement in films not prevent you from furthering your education?

No. Right now, I’m seeking admission into the University of Lagos or University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and by September this year, I would be there.

Someone told us you don’t have the neccessary O’level qualification.

It’s a lie! Tell the person it’s a lie. I have my O’level complete.

What do you hope to study at the University?

I hope to study law. Though I’m a science student, I’ve wanted to do law, so right now, I’m out for it.

We learned women don’t give you a breathing space.

It is not that they don’t give me a breathing space. What happens is that they cherish my acting; it is like every star. Your fans cherish you and appreciate your work. So it is not that they don’t let me rest, they simply like my movies.

Do you like girls?

When God created Adam he created Eve as well, so if I like girls I don’t think it is a bad thing.

Have you heard of anyone before?

No.

Do you have a girl friend?

Sorry that is personal.

Is it true you are a virgin?

Wonderful question, but that is too personal. Anyway, how do you know a virgin?

Okay, when did you get deflowered?

I didn’t say if I’m a virgin or not, that is too personal.

When will you get married?

When God says, ‘my friend it is time to marry’ I will go for it.

Let’s say something like five years’ time?

I don’t know, anytime God says yes, even if it is 20 years he will direct me which way to go.

Does it embarrass you when people think you are a small boy?

No, not at all.

What if they say you are too short?

No, if I do, that means I’m questioning God.

So you like the way you are.

I’m proud with the way I am.

Do you agree with those who feel whosoever will want to marry you would do so because of money?

I will not go for that kind of girl. Like I said God will tell me who and when.

What will you like to tell your fans?

I want to say thank you for making me stay on, and I want to say too that wherever you are, take that bold step, don’t shy away from the crowd; believe in yourself and do things for yourself.