Nigerian Movie Star Profile
Kalu
Kalu Ikeagwu started acting as a student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka
where he studied English. According to him, his father who was a lecturer at the
University usually encouraged him to read. He soon developed a passion for
Literature which ignited his interest in acting.
Kalu who features as Jeny, a loving and very supportive husband to Ada in the
TVsoap Domino, currently showing on AIT every Sunday, came into the country from
England less than a year ago. Hear him: "A friend of mine who is a banker here
in Nigeria encouraged me to come home and get involved in Nollywood.
So, I planned to come to Nigeria just for two weeks to network and arrange for
my final home coming."
Ever since he arrived the country, Nigerian producers have been inviting him to
feature in their movies. Following his debut movie, For Real by Emem Isong, in
less than one year, the debonair actor has established his presence in the movie
industry.
Beaming smiles, the talented actor says he would love to be appreciated not just
for his good looks but his potentials.
He also spoke about his acting career, his fees, coping with female fans, the
future of Nollywood and much more in this interview.
Background
My name is Kalu Ikeagwu. I was born in England. I returned to Nigeria when I was
nine years old because my father wanted me to get closer to my culture. I had my
primary education in England and Zambia and my secondary school and University
here at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka before I returned to England.
My father, who died two years ago, was a lecturer and a very good man. He was
very strict too. Being a very academic man, he used to encourage us to read. My
mother lives in England at the moment with the rest of the family. We are seven
in number - two girls and five boys. I am the third child and the first son of
my parents.
I read English and graduated in 1991.
Acting career
My father had wanted me to study Medicine but I couldn’t do it because I wasn’t
very good in the sciences. I developed the love for Literature and when it was
time to go to the University, I chose Literature much to his disappointment.
In my first year at the University, we had a drama to present. I was not really
interested in it, I just wanted to go there and play about. Later a man came and
made me read the script and before I knew it, he told me to pick up the role. It
was hard work for me but I just found out that I enjoyed it. And ever since
then, I have never looked back. I continued to act on stage throughout my stay
at the university so much so that people thought I was a Dramatic Arts student.
That was where it started from.
I came into the country last year and featured in three home movies before I was
invited to take part in Domino. The first one was For Real by Emem Isong; the
second one was Darkest Night, but the third movie is not yet out.
Picking the roles
A friend of mine who is a banker here in Nigeria encouraged me to come home and
get roles in Nollywood. So I planned to come to Nigeria just for two weeks to
network. So when I arrived, I did not know they had already fixed me up with an
agent who linked me with Emem Isong. So I went to see her, she asked me to read
something for her. That was how she gave me the role.
For the role in Domino, I went for another auditioning at the National Theatre,
the then producer of Domino, Biodun Aleja, just saw me and told me that they
were actually looking for new faces. So that was how I got the role.
Most challenging role
So far, the most challenging is the role I play in Domino. Moreso because I am
usually more comfortable as a bad guy. But it is difficult acting a good person,
you have to be disciplined enough in order not to overact.
However, I really don’t want to fit into any role, I want to be as flexible as I
can. As an actor, I think my responsibility is to express everything a human
being can express to an audience, so I should be able to handle any role that is
given to me.
Acting in England and Nigeria
In England things are a bit easier above all, more time is given to interpret
roles which was quite a challenge. On arrival, I think that is the major
difference. I also saw it here that they are not expression oriented. In
England, the main thing is to make it as real as possible, it is more
internalized – the way you talk, your eyes, body language, those are the things
that are considered more important. I think we will still fit in, it is just
that if we can have more time to do our work, it would be a lot better. Because
our movie producers are in a bit of a hurry. Another thing I have observed is
that the Nigerian movie industry is after quick profit.
Nigerian movie industry
In terms of recognition, Nigerian movie industry is rated high. Concerning
quality, we have a lot of potentials. We are doing very well but we need to get
rid of the short-term profit syndrome. I think that is what is affecting us at
the moment.
Initially I thought we were nowhere. But working in the industry, I have seen
many directors who want to bring out quality work. Also our Nigerian audience
are very critical of what they see.
Nigerian movies abroad
It is funny because we have a much larger market outside than we have here. But
the strongest factor is that of nostalgia. People rush out to buy Nigerian films
just to have an impression about the country. For instance, Osuofia in London,
people watched it over and over again and they liked it. Africans and West
Indians in London watch Nigerians movies because of the content. We should start
gearing towards international recognition where our films can be shown at
international festivals. If on the other hand we refuse to do that, we’ll crash
out of reckoning.
Role models
One of the people I look up to in the industry is Kate Henshaw. She is a very
humble person, and highly intelligent. As for RMD and Segun Arinze, when they
read their scripts, it just sticks. I do not know how they do it. I like Stella
Damascus-Aboderin. I have not worked with Stella but I have worked with the
other people.
Myself
I am idealistic. I love having fun. I love God because he has done so much for
me. I love people, but sometimes I do not have much patience. I can be moody
sometimes. I am not that kind of nice person that people think Jerry in Domino
is. I do not have Jerry’s patience. I like singing, but I also like to write.
How I unwind
I like to read and travel. I love driving but not in Lagos. I don’t like driving
in Lagos.
Most enabling moment
I have never had stage fright. But there was this day I was on stage, at a point
there was black out. But it was not my first time on stage. The first time I
acted, it went smoothly. I was on stage playing Ezeulu, the Chief Priest in
Arrow of God. I have been rehearsing on a much smaller stage. I have never been
on the big stage before. So when I came out, the stage was so huge that I did
not know how to go about my movements. I just stood there frozen. I just saw a
whole sea of faces staring at me. Honestly, I do not know how I managed to get
through that.
Aspirations
I would love to work in Nigeria and overseas as an actor. I don’t ever want to
see myself as a good actor. I want to see myself as someone aspiring to be
better. That for me will be a tremendous success. At the right time, I would
love to produce my own movies and make an impact on what I think about life.
Relationship
Yes, I am engaged. I have a fiancee who lives in Kaduna. She is from Abia State
and a wonderful lady at that. There’s nothing for my female fans who may want to
take it beyond being fans. If they come close to me, they would realise that I
am not that much of a catch.
My fees
Well, it could be better. At the stage that I am, I believe that it could be
better. But actors in Nigeria are still poorly paid compared to other countries.
Tel:571-247-2679 email:contact@nigeriamovies.net
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