Paul Obazele is as old as Nollywood. The thespian features in movies only when there is a suitable and strong character to play. The former president of Association of Movie Producers (AMP) laments that government has not done enough to stem the tide of piracy. In this chat with TS Weekend, the Edo State-born actor cum director talks about his career, family and while people think he’s a no nonsense man. Excerpts:
What distinguishes you from other characters in your latest movie, Iyore?
In Iyore, I played the character of Oba Izuwa. In Benin culture, the oba is seen as god, sent by the almighty to look after a group of people, therefore, he is treated as that. And he takes his subjects with seriousness and all sense of responsibility. He’s the custodian and defender of that culture. He cannot be found wanting, he does not have the ability to commit sin.
It is in the character of Iyore for him to show that authority is expected from a king, and that is why he is an oba. But unfortunately for the character, he’s found wanting. He committed adultery, which is a serious crime in Edo. The crowned prince slept with a woman whose bride price has been paid.
How can we regain the Nollywood of the ‘90s? What’s your take on the soft porn movies produced in the industry today?
It is what the Nigerian families yearn for – a family story that the parents can sit and watch with their kids. I have a large fan base or followership, so when the kids saw the commercials of the film, they sent me a message. I said they should come to the premiere and they came with their parents.
What do you expect people to learn from the character?
Discipline, responsibility, and that you are in a position of authority does not mean you can abuse the position. You are chosen by God and you’re expected to function and not to exploit people. And the father did not hesitate to banish the son when he was found guilty.
You talked about your fan base, people following you and all that. What has been the craziest thing a fan has done to you?
I’ve not given my fans a cause not to believe in me. I’m a very strict person, so I don’t give you that reason to want to doubt me.
Aside acting, what other things do you do?
I’m born into this and I don’t know any other business. Therefore, I must say fortunately this is what I know how to do best.
What has kept you going?
You the press; I’ve enjoyed that from the press. Why have I enjoyed it? The challenges they have given me, questions they have asked, expectations, even when my hopes go down, I get calls from you people. A group of people happens to respect who I am, and therefore, it becomes a colossal disappointment if I don’t live up to expectations. If I don’t live up to expectations, you will judge me.
What do you have to say about piracy?
From when I was the president of Association of Movie Producers, I had fought piracy. I have taken it head on with the government. I’ve always said that if they have not prosecuted somebody, they have not done enough.
What is the way forward?
You take the bull by the horn. It’s a hard punch and the punch has to be below the belt. It’s not a normal fight because all adverts must come up; we must make government understand what their responsibility is. For example, outside government, we are the second largest employers of labour. We have been able to mop off the people they tag armed robbers, we have been able to nurture them, tutor them, brought them back, employ them, and they are living up to expectations. But all of a sudden, the source they make their money from is going. You know what they have done to us the goose that lays the golden eggs? They have taken the golden eggs, they have refused to nurture the goose and therefore they have left it to die.
What is your take on Nollywood?
In economics, there is what is called diminishing returns and equilibrium status. We rose, we fell, and we are going up, we will come to that equilibrium where things will stabilize. In 2007, I said that we’re going to get to the cinemas. Do not forget that we used to have a cinema culture in this country, but it went off because of security issues, and all of a sudden it came back. And when it came back, people complained about the picture and sound quality, but the pictures and sounds came back. Right now, what we are saying is that investors are not coming in and the reasons why investors are not coming in is because of piracy.
Did you know you would become big like this?
I was born into a broadcast home and everything you see that is done today is a well thought out plan because we knew that we ran an office which is Royal Pictures, we have people who do scripts, so it is a complete house as it were and I’m one of the smallest guys there, there are other people that are there that are doing what they are doing. So, Royal Pictures is a well thought out thing.
I know you to be a very strict actor. Are you also strict when you are off the stage?
I’m a very playful human being, and my wife jabs me most of the time because I play a lot. I have the other side of me that plays a lot.
You just spoke about your wife. How did you meet her?
(Laughs) My wife is a banker. I met her on one of the days I was hard up; I went to the bank with a cheque given to me by Chico Ejiro. I got to the bank with a post-dated cheque that I didn’t know it was post-dated, but I thought I could swing it with my star status. And my friends who accompanied me said: ‘that girl wey dey there no dey hear word; she is a very stubborn girl’. But I accosted her and she told me ‘no’, even while saying that, she was laughing. Then she told me that if I wouldn’t mind, she would lend me some money. At that point, I stood up angrily and stormed out of the bank. As I left, I said to myself: ‘I’ll teach you what stars do. I will sleep with you and scram’. So I came back, toasted her and lured her in. But she said ‘if your plan is to sleep with me then you won’t’. (Laughs) Like joke, we became friends and today we are married!
Are we going to see you in more films?
Yes, you just saw Invasion 1897 produced by Lancelot (Imasuen); this is Iyore, and after that is Saint Mary.
Is Saint Mary an upcoming film?
Saint Mary has been premièred in London and America. We were in Canada and Germany; we are coming to Nigeria shortly. Mathias Obayagbon produced Saint Mary.
What makes a successful actor like you?
Patience and being level headed. Also, believing that you are opportune to be where you are. And then, total submission to the will of God.
When you watch your movies, do you feel there is a part you did not act very well?
Yes, I try to convince myself that if I had another opportunity, I would do it the right way.
What challenges are you currently facing as an actor?
I want investors to come into the industry. I want people to take us for who we are, and not make us to believe that we are not polished enough to invest on.
If you were to advise Nollywood couples having problems, what would your advice be?
There is nobody that does not have problems in their marriage. How do you handle it? Why would you call a third party into it if you can deal with it yourselves? Somebody has to come down for somebody. Two wrongs never make a right, so why would I go and tell the whole world that my wife and I are having problems?
What advice do you have for the upcoming artist?
Be yourself, desperation does not pay
Source: Sunnewsonline
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