Chioma
Chukwuka Akpotha is one of the popular Nigerian actresses, who has done
quite well for herself in the industry since she joined in 2000.
With
over 50 movie roles to her credit in the last 13 years, the actress
recently joined the world of producers with her debut flick, On Bended
Knees. She spoke to Movie Moments’ Mutiat Alli on her life, people’s
perception of her been arrogant and her hubby.
How do you feel as a new entrant into the world of production?
I can’t really explain how I feel because this a dream I have nurtured
for so long and seeing it come to reality is just like a dream come true
to me and perhaps the reception has been immeasurable considering the
fact that it is my first major production as a producer.
What actually prompted your decision to turn producer over night?
I want to correct that impression of me turning into a producer over
night simply because I have been in the industry for quite an age now
and for me to produce a movie of my own is just to let the world
understand the fact that even been an actress; I can as well turn out to
be fantastic producer and that has been my dream for a very long time.
On Bended Knees is directed by good hands; what formed your choice of selection?
I feel they both understood what I was looking out for in the
production of the movie; so having Emem Isong and Lancelot Imasuen as my
directors is the greatest thing that happened to me because they both
believed in my dream. Even at the time of giving up on the production;
they were both there to encourage me and at the end of it all I was able
to have a fantastic movie.
What is the movie all about?
On Bended Knees is a movie very dear to my heart. It’s a captivating
story of a young and vibrant man who relegated his duties as a husband
and the man of the house to the background. His wife, ignored and
lonely, finds comfort in the company of her boss. It is discovered that
the wife is having an affair with her boss and things take a new twist.
This story happens every day even in the midst of the “seemingly”
perfect relationships. It’s a movie every home should have and watch.
Considering when you started in the industry; what is your view on the standard of movies been produced in Nigeria presently?
Well professionally, I started acting in 2000 and there is a far
difference between the kind of films produced now and back in the days; I
can authoritatively say it loud and clear that the Nigerian movie
industry has been impressive considering the kind of equipments we now
use in shooting our movies. Also, we have been able to meet up with
international standard. I believe the sky is our starting point and
definitely not our limit.
You have managed and maintain an almost scandal free reputation; how have you been able to manage this?
I feel it has been the grace of God because we all are not created
perfect and as such we just manage to be our self and be of the best
behavior. I just feel being an actor opens you up to controversies,
scandals and all that. Maybe I’ve just been lucky.
You turned 33 just last month. Looking ahead, what do you hope to have achieved by your next birthday?
I hope that by my next birthday, I would have done another movie and
grown from this level. There is no stagnancy in the industry. If you
don’t see an actor for a period of time in movies, it doesn’t mean they
are not doing something. Some are directing, some are producing, some
are rebranding. There is no dry moment. For me, I want to move to
another level by my next birthday.
As a married woman, what has marriage taught you?
What is making this excited, Please drop your comment
LAGOS—Emotions ran high, Tuesday, at Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja,
following startling revelations by suspected members of three
syndicates, who specialised in selling human parts to herbalists and
persons suspected to be clerics. 