At the preview of The Antique at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, on October 5, a new actress was unveiled in the person of Oge Indiana. The epic movie, which premieres today at the same venue, stars, among others, Olu Jacobs, Bimbo Akintola and Oge who plays the lead. In this interview with Assistant Life Editor, TERH AGBEDEH, the new act talks about her journey so far in the Nigerian movie industry.
You look very different in The movie; is that the work of make-over?
Yeah. The producers said I was too flashy for my role; so they had to take care of make-over and they apparently did their job well. Even my cousin who saw the movie was like, “is that you?”
How did you get your surname, Indiana?
I got it from India because I lived there.
When did you return from India?
I just lived there for like four years while I was much younger.
This seems to be your first film.
This is my first epic movie. I have done three movies for which I played the lead, but they were not released in cinemas; only on DVD. I am basically new in the industry, but I have been in Range Rover Babes, Street War and Treasure Island.
Are those films done by the same producer?
No. I have also appeared on television soaps like Wale Adenuga’s Papa Ajasco, Super Story, Beyond Doubt and Alyson’s Stand.
What exactly did you go to do in India?
I went to India for business.
What kind of business?
I import some Indian stuff.
Like what, specifically?
Everything they sell in India.
Does that include gold?
Yeah.
How is that going for you?
It is going on well.
So, why are you acting?
Acting is my first love because I studied theatre arts at the University of Benin (UNIBEN). I am also a model and a dancer. So I have to fuse the three together. But business is something I do on the other side, apart from being in entertainment because money from entertainment is not enough for me. I have to do something else to augment my income from entertainment.
Some actresses in your shoes would rather get the income from men.
I basically work hard for my money; so I don’t just rely on only entertainment money. When I get to a stage where they will pay me millions of naira, then I can chill.
How much do you get from acting right now?
(Laughter) Different producers have different fees; so I can’t really pinpoint.
What project are you working on at the moment?
I am going to be on another set tomorrow, an African Magic production called The Audition. I am a model in the movie.
Do you intend to also produce in the future?
Yes, naturally, I intend to collaborate with Hollywood because I don’t feel that I am going to be just Nigeria-bound. I am working towards Hollywood and Bollywood. So I will do something like collaborating with them. I will be a producer later.
How soon is later?
It is better you establish your name because if you are just a greenhorn in the industry and you try to produce, I don’t think it will work out well. But when you are known and you become a producer, people will pay attention.
You also dance?
Yes I am a dancer.
Do you feature in music videos?
No, I don’t do that. But I perform at event. Since I have started acting, dancing has been slow. But I love dancing.
After the Africa Magic production, what next?
I have one very big project which I can’t disclose yet.
How do you manage being on the set and doing business; do you put off acting for business trip?
Yes, of course.
How long were you on the set of The Antique?
Three weeks.
Where was it shot?
In Ogun State.
Was being on set with people like Bimbo Akintola, Olu Jacobs and Ricardo Agbor intimidating for you?
Not at all; I do not allow anyone intimidate me. That is why people always ask me, are you sure you are new in the industry? This is because I am a very confident person. I flow with people, and when I act with people, I make sure there is no bridge between us because when you see some stars and some greenhorns acting, you can see the bridge. But I don’t let that happen.
Did you study For acting?
Yes, I studied theatre arts.
Did you take any acting lessons from any film school after that?
When you study theatre arts, you don’t need any film school, unless I want to do my master’s.
But isn’t it basically stage acting that you studied, which is not the same as film?
Yeah. But in my school, as a stage person, they would ask you what you want to do. Then they would help you demarcate stage acting from screen acting.
That is at UNIBEN?
Yeah.
What year did you graduate?
I finished last year and relocated to Lagos April last year. The thing in acting is that I really did not think of it because theatre arts made me who I am now. Naturally, I was always acting when I was younger. It was my dad who suggested the idea, to study theatre arts instead of law, because I wanted to study law.
Does it make you happy that you studied theatre arts?
Yes, I am very happy and I thank my dad every minute. Great job, dad, I am enjoying it. It was fun studying theatre arts and being in the industry.
What do you hate most about being in the industry?
I hate a whole lot of stuff like injustice; people don’t get things through merit. Also, there are a lot of backbiters; people who just want to bring you down.
Who are your favourite actors?
It is Halle Berry On the day of the premiere of The Antique, I am going to dress like her.
Did you see Monster’s Ball?
Yes, that is the film she won an Oscar for, and my target is to win an Oscar in the future.
What that means is that you are probably trying to get into Hollywood.
Yes.
Have you made any moves in that direction?
Yeah, I have a manager and he is working towards it.
Is he here?
(Laughter) He is here.
Are you dating?
No. The way you asked the question is as if I am trying to hide something.
How does your boyfriend feel about your acting?
He doesn’t mind; he likes what I do. Whatever makes me happy, he doesn’t have a problem with it. He said I am good at what I do. He wants me to be a star with a difference.
Does he mind when you kiss other people in movies?
I don’t think anyone likes that; but he knows it is acting. So, when I am on the screen, I am on the screen and when I am out, I am out. So, it is make-believe.
If you had younger ones who came to you to say that they want to act, what would you say to them?
It is your dream, it is your decision, it is your life. If I know they are good at what they do, then why not. It is when I see you have no talent that I will tell you, sorry sweetheart, try something else. This is because God has given everyone talent and not everybody is destined to be a star; so know where your strength lies.
Would you say that you are destined to be an actress?
Yes, I know I am.
