I don’t apply ointment to cry in my movies; I had to learn it — Nkiru Slyvanus

Popular Nollywood actress, Nkiru Slyvanus is a viewers’ delight. Known for her ‘sorrowful’ roles, Nkiru, took a break from the scene for public service as Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism to the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha. She is now back in Nollywood. JOAN OMIONAWELE caught up with her at the recently concluded AMVCA Awards in Lagos. Excerpts:

What projects have you been up to lately?

I’m working on a whole lot of things that I wouldn’t want to talk about at the moment because I want people to see them unfold one after the other, but of course, 2016 is my year.

Are you saying you are staging a comeback to Nollywood this year?

I never left Nollywood, but I am saying I will do more movies this year.

Obviously, you took a break…

Yes, I took a break, I didn’t leave Nollywood, I will never leave Nollywood.

During that period, did you feel like you missed out on anything?

No, because I felt like I needed a timeout.

With Awards like the AMVCA, what do you think the Nollywood industry stands to gain?

It makes everyone work harder and do better jobs because everyone will want to have this moment where you pick up an award and be appreciated for what you have done. It also makes us put in more effort in order to do better jobs

When you took up the political appointment, some people were expecting you to pick up elective position as deputy governor, local government chairman, why didn’t you go further?

Oh really, I’m not thinking towards that direction, but maybe in the future, I might think it but right now, I’m just thinking entertainment.

What did you learn in government?

I’m still within the political arena, I haven’t left yet, but I will say it has been a huge experience for me because you get to meet people from different backgrounds, pursuing different purposes which expose you to a lot of things that you don’t know about politics and people’s ways of life.

Some controversies trailed you, how did you receive and handle them?

Well, controversy is part of life, if nobody talks about you, then you don’t exist, so it is good when people talk about you. It helps you to shape up your life, work harder to surprise people the more and make them understand that it is not really about what they think, it is about who you are and who you want to be.

There is an argument between actors and producers who think that some form of royalties be paid as Africa Magic dwells on some of these films, what do you  have to say about this?

A labourer deserves his wages. If we can have a platform where we can work out a synergy to make sure that things work out properly and if you put in your best to do a work, you can always learn from it, because talent is priceless, there is no amount of money that is worth whatever talent that is given to you, so it is not a bad thing, but we can approach it in a better and proper way, by having a better plaform to get it all planned out.

If you had the opportunity to change Nollywood, what would you do?

I think Nollywood is doing great, but one thing that I would love to look into is our distribution method. A lot of efforts need to go into this.

How would you want to change it?

Well, that idea is entirely mine because I wouldn’t want to make it public, so if you really want to make things better, I think you would need to consult me privately.

Are you thinking of settling down soon?

I will settle down whenever it is right.  It is a thing of the mind, so when you think your mind is ready to settle down, you will. For me, it could be now, it could be tomorrow, next year or next five years.

What is keeping your mind busy?

Well, work, work and work.

Are you seeing someone right now?

Hmmm. I should be dating, don’t you think so?

What has been your most challenging role?

I have done quite a lot of movies but I haven’t done a job that is so challenging. But I will always talk about my first popular movie, ‘A cry for help,’ because it was the first time I was facing the huge stage because I was a teenager, I was young and new. It was my first experience. But right now, I wouldn’t look at that job and say it was challenging, because  I have done some bigger and better movies and will still do more.

You are known for crying on set, what puts you in that mood?

 I had to learn how to cry, because I don’t think about anything before bringing out the tears, I just learnt how to do it.

Is it true that some actors use mentholated ointment?

Well, some people could actually do that but it is not healthy, because it could harm you.

So, right now, once you hear, ‘camera, action,’ you would break down in tears effortlessly?

Right now, yes, but initially, I had to learn to do it.

The industry has been rocked with various celebrity quarrels, do these have to do with the personalities involved or social ego?

I think it’s the social media. The social media is a kind of demon, because everyone wants to talk about their private affairs on social media, well, some people say its publicity strategy, but I think it’s really’ really not good, but people have problems, must you now talk about it on social media? When you get slapped by a friend, must you come out to say your friend slapped you?

There are better ways to settle issues  than taking them the social media.

What are you doing about  piracy from your end?

Well privacy is something that you can never get right until you get the  distribution method right. Once you get the distribution method right, you get piracy under control.

What would you like the Muhammadu  Buhari-led administration to do for Nollywood?

What every entertainment industry would want is a conducive atmosphere and platform to work and exhibit their talent and so we ask for a friendly environment and platform, and once we get that, we will be good. It is about we entertainers putting things right.

How do you fend stubborn male fans off?

They will always come, it is part of living, but you have a polite way of saying no and If I say no, it is no.

Have you ever had an experience with a stalker?

I don’t give chance to stalkers and I won’t give them the chance to stalk me, they won’t even see me to stalk me and when you see me to stalk me, I know how to put you right, I will hand you over to the authorities that will handle you.