Seasoned actor, Zach Orji, speaks with JANE AUGOYE about what his colleagues in Nollywood do outside movie locations
As Nollywood actor, Zach Orji, goes
deeper in the Lord’s vineyard, he is a bit disturbed that decisions by
some actors to go into other businesses or callings attract what he sees
as undue attention or comments. According to the artist, who is also
fluent in French, his colleagues are not doing anything out of the
ordinary.
“All over the world, it is normal for
people in any field of life to go into something different when they get
to a certain level. Here in Nigeria, civil servants and teachers try
their hands on different things besides their regular jobs. So, I don’t
know why those of actors should be any different. This is a normal human
endeavour. More so, most times your salary is never enough to take care
of your responsibilities.
“So, I don’t know why that of an actor
should be considered different. Being an actor does not stop us from
doing other things. So, let’s not look at it as abnormal. People can
always choose to express their talents in other areas,” he says.
Orji, who was recently ordained a pastor
at the Powerline Church, in Lagos, also countered claims that he had
quit acting due to his new calling.
“While it is true that I am now a
pastor, it has not in any way affected my career. I have featured in
various movie projects lately, the most recent being Chimamanda
Adichie’s best-selling novel, Half of a Yellow Sun, which was recently
adapted for screenplay. Besides, I have been on various sets. I won’t be
able to tell you their titles because most times all the producers do
is to bring you scripts, without a title. I will be on set of a new
movie by ace Nollywood producer, Rosemary Ingbi, next week,” he adds.
Although Orji, who is most famous for
his gentlemanly movie roles, maintains that these actors are simply
expressing themselves, for some of his colleagues, this is not the case.
Apart from losing juicy deals to music stars, some consider this move
as a basic survival instinct.
After all, it seems that it no longer
pays to be just an actor, with piracy and absence of structured
distribution networks threatening the fabric of their industry’s
existence. Some are even tempted to say that Nollywood is no longer in
vogue.
Some actors have tried their hands in
music, though it can be argued that this is often a show of other
talents. Genevieve Nnaji, Jim Iyke, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Kate Henshaw
and most recently, Nollywood bad girl, Tonto Dikeh, are examples. Yet,
pundits have said that it is important to note that the success of an
actor’s decision to delve into music goes way beyond just being a
popular face or possessing good looks.
Before now, one area where a good
number of the screen stars had found consolation is in endorsements by
corporate organisations, especially telecom giants that include Globacom
and MTN. But the tides is changing. Many music makers now own the day
and in turn, call the shots anywhere they go. They are also fast
becoming role models to many Nigerian youths, who hitherto revered
Nollywood actors.
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