What i found wasn't true love-Rukky Sandas

She is one of the emerging faces
and if you like forces in
Nollywood. She is gradually
etching a place for herself in an
industry where stars and
wannabes get lost by the second.
Rukky Sanda in this interview
bares it all about her experience
and how close she is to
controversial actress, Mercy
Johnson.
What have you been up to
lately?
I’ve been working as usual. I’m trying
to finish up a script and start work on
Thursday.
After Lethal Woman have you
produced any other?
Yes I have. I have done Obscure motive
and In her shoes
How did Obsure motive and In her
shoes fair in the market?
In her shoes is yet to be released.
Obscure motives is really doing well in
the market. Jackie Appiah, Yemi Blaq,
Ngozi Ezeonu and others starred in the
movie.
Who are the guys in In her shoes?
Van Vicker, Yemi Black, Uche Jombo,
and others.
Why are you always working with
Uche Jombo?
That is the only film Uche did for me.
But in other production, you always
get to work with her. Why?
We’ve not really worked together that
much. Just a couple of other people’s
film and her film… the one she
produced. She is my friend, why
wouldn ’t I work with her? More so, she
is a professional. I don’t see anything
wrong in working with her.
You performance in Guilty Pleasure
was much better than that of Lethal
Woman. What happened?
They are two different characters.
Does it have anything to do with the
directing?
It has nothing to do with the directing.
It was the role, the character that I was
interpreting and that was all it was all
about.
Which would you consider your most
lively character in a film?
Well, I like to play any role. I don’t look
forward to the liveliness of a character,
everything is a challenge. So I try to
face new challenges in every role I
play. But I try to avoid being
stereotyped ,because there was a
particular time that I was always
playing a particular role. For now, I
would rather not play the role than
repeat .
How often do you get engaged in
other people ’s production?
Well, I work for other people, but I
don ’t just work for anybody. This year, I
have featured in nine films
.
Which ones?
I do not know. I have done one with
Uche, Desmond and others.
But, which of them did you play lead
role?
It is not about playing the lead role. It’s
about your role having meaning. You
can play a lead role and yet, it is
someone that played a minor role that
people will remember. I look at the
role , though, I have played lead roles
in about five of them.
What happened last year… you were
not that busy on movie sets?
I was busy doing some other things.
You were busy or the producers were
frustrating you?
Nobody can frustrate me. I do what I
want when I want. I have other jobs
that I do other than acting.
Since I ’ve known you, you are good in
commerce…
To make more money, you have to
invest. You can ’t keep working,
earning salary and spending money
and still expect to make more money.
You have to invest. Since my first year
in college, I have been travelling and
buying goods to sell.
Is that one of the things you learnt
from your mom?
Not exactly, I am just a commerce
oriented person. I believe you have to
invest to make more money. So, that is
the way I see it.
Do you think your decision to stick to
the English genre of movies despite
being Yoruba has paid off?
Yes. It is what I want to do. It is not
what anybody thinks and wants me to
do. I ’m being what exactly I want to
be, I’m exactly where I want to be.
Moreover, I don’t see anything wrong
with a Yoruba or an English film. The
most important thing is for me to have
interest in either . If I don ’t have
interest, I won’t do it.
How easy has it been for you as a
Yoruba actress?
I don’t think it has anything to do with
tribe. From my own point of view, I
don ’t think it has anything to do with
you being Yoruba, or Igbo. If they see
you are good and they want to employ
you, they will .
But people complain of prejudice all
the time?
Fine, it doesn’t mean they are
discriminated against or something. I
think it is just the idea people have
about it. There are lots of people that
have made it today, they didn ’t just
come into the industry and just made
the award. You have to work hard. You
have to be persistent.
So those complaining about prejudice
don ’t know what they are talking
about?
I don’t think they try hard enough. I
don’t think anybody should tell you
what you want to be, who you want to
be and where you want to be. I think,
if you want something you have to go
and get it, you can not settle for less.
So not settling for less means, if a
producer asks you out you will not
oblige him?
I don’t know. I’ve seen it happen. I
have see some couple of girls calling
the producer and he didn ’t even have a
job for them. He was like, if you want
this, you should do this. It ’s how you
throw it at them, it’s how they see you,
how you present yourself. I think you
should let your work speak for you and
if you have the opportunity, try to
make the best out of it. Don ’t appear
desperate.
How did you do your own without
coming across as desperate?
I just do my job and get out. Again I let
my work speak for me.
Did you not work for Chico Ejiro
before?
It was Chico Ejiro’s office but it was
Sunny Mccdon’s production. That was
where I got my first role.
Tell me your period of trying hard,
what were those things that you
went through?
I think I’m totally different.I am not
that kind of person that wants to die , if
I don ’t get the job. I will always have
something to do. At a time I used to
have a big problem leaving Lagos to
work. That was my major issue until
recently.
You have your hands in so many other
things. Are you not taking on so much
at a time?
I create time for everything I want to
do. I said I ’m a business person. If I see
a business that I can do and it’s
profitable for me, I will sit down and
say I ’m an actress by profession, this is
what I should do. No, I will not do that.
I will create time and work towards it
and I will achieve what I want.
How profitable has it been, being a
producer in the English genre?
I’m blessed, thank God.
They say it is very expensive to
produce a movie?
Yes it is and that is why you have to
take your time to do something that is
good, so as to make your money back.
Have you always made your money
back?
Not really . The first movie I did, people
were selling it behind my back. Piracy
denied me my rewards.
What film was that?
Lethal Woman. It was my first film and
I regarded it as a trial. I had issues with
actors in the film and that was because
of my lack of experience. I won ’t say
the movie was unsuccessful; at least I
made my money back.
What about Obscure Motives?
Obscure Motives is still selling very
well in the market though I have not
put on TV stations yet.
How was it with Van Vicker because
some people believe that Ghanians are
very rude on set. What is your take?
That’s is a big lie. Whoever said that is
not a good person. It’s not true at all.
When are you getting married?
Not any time soon.
How would you describe true love?
It’s caring for someone unconditionally
and being happy.
So, have you ever found true love ?
Yes.
What happened ?
It didn’t work out.
But someone said, true love is
supposed to last forever?
So I heard o. Maybe I should say what I
had wasn ’t true love , but when I do
find true love, you will know.
Some people say you are one of the
big girls in the industry. You change
cars and live big. What ’s your take on
that?
I thank God for my life and for blessing
me. I work very hard. That is why you
see me using ten phones at the same
time.
Are you a friend of Mercy Johnson’s ?
She’s not my friend. I have never had a
conversation with her in my life.
We ’ve only worked on the same set.
Can you invite Mercy Johnson to one
of your movies?
If she fits in, why not?

Fatia Balogun fights Ashaye,Akindele,Filani

Fathia Balogun is in the news again.
Yes, the ex-wife of Saidi Balogun is
the hottest topic in Nollywood. She
is not in the news for her separation,
neither is she in for her alleged
peace overtures to her ex-hubby.
She is not making headlines for her
movies either. She is in the news for
allegedly picking fights with fellow
actresses.
First Fathia fought Peju Ashaye.
She accused her of dating Alhaji
Abdulahi Lateef, CEO of Corporate
Pictures, the man she is allegedly
dating. Fathia called Peju on phone
and warned her to stay off her man.
Peju who is seen as a ‘junior’ to Fathia
was shocked that Fathia could descend
so low and threaten her on phone.
In response to her threat, Peju granted
an interview to an online publication
saying Fathia does not have the right
to tell her who to date or not. Said she :
“ Anyway I don’t step down for
anybody. I don’t believe anyone can
threaten me and she has not
confronted me physically.
Though I hear several stories but I am
not convinced she was referring to me.
It is a free world and everyone has the
freedom to do anything at his or her
own particular time. I don ’t owe
anybody an explanation on who I am
dating. If you believe me fine and if
not it is just too bad. I am trying as
much as possible to be professional
and I am a lone ranger. I can be close
to Corporate Pictures boss for any
reason. Moreover the man is not her
husband. He is not Saidi Balogun.
Fathia is not his wife.
So she has no right to attack me over
issues concerning him. She has no right
to harass me. Everyone is doing
business with the man. He is marketing
my movies and nothing else is
between us but I would not be cowed
by anyone based on stories that I am
dating the man. Fathia would not
choose who would market my movies
for me. It is absolutely my prerogative.
Corporate Pictures has been there for a
very long time even before she joined
the industry. It will continue to market
my movies and nothing will take me
away from the company ”.
Not yet done, she moved on to Mosun
Filani who is fast gaining prominence
in the industry. She accused Mosun of
telling tales of how she used to borrow
shoes from Flakky Idiowio, another
actress. Despite the assurance of
another actress that Mosun never did
that, Fathia was said to have quarelled
with Mosun on Muyiwa Ademola ’s set.
Now, she is spoiling for war with Funke
Akindele for an undisclosed offence.
She is said to have gathered fellow
actresses in the war against the Jenifa
producer. A source even told us she
vowed to snatch Femi Adebayo from
Funke when the talk was rife that they
were dating. Now that it is clear they
are dating, Fathia is planning on ways
to instigate younger actresses against
Funke.
SBN called Fathia twice, but her PA
picked the call and promised to get
back to us. He never did.
Fathia is said to be antagonising these
actresses because she sees them as
threats to her career and despises
them because they don’t defer to her
like other actresses that call her Igwe.

MTV endorses Mo'cheddah

Just few weeks after releasing her first video
“ If you want me”, and few months before
dropping her debut album “Franchise
Celebrity”, MTV Networks Africa has
announced Mo’cheddah, the first Nigerian
artist to benefit from MTV base’s new
initiative.
Tagged “Brand New”, the new initiative is
designed to promote promising and
emerging artistes across the African
continent.
Mo'Cheddah
“Nigeria has produced so many exciting
artistes and we are thrilled that a talented
newcomer like Mo ’Cheddah will be the first
Nigerian artiste to benefit from Brand: New,”
Alex Okosi Senior Vice President and
Managing Director, MTV Networks Africa
says.
Born Modupe Oreoluwa Oyeyemi, upon her
emergence in the Nigerian Music scene in
2009, Mo ’cheddah was immediately penciled
down as one of the acts to watch out for,
and even though it looks like things are
going fast for the new comer, there is no
doubt that MTV is of the notion that she has
paid her dues.
“MTV handpicked Mo’Cheddah to debut the
Brand: New initiative after the buzz
surrounding her solo single. Mo ’Cheddah
first came to the attention of MTV base when
she featured on three videos by a
Knighthouse including “Purple”, “The Finest”
and “Capital Drama” an MTV spokesperson
said this week.
The accolade comes after a fantastic year for
the gifted hip hop princess. “If You Want Me”
is getting amazing airplay on Nigerian TV
and radio. In 2009, she came second at the
Hennessy Artistry 2009 concert tour and in
2010 she will be the youngest female artiste
to feature in the upcoming Girl Power Tour.

How star Trek ended in Kwale

It was meant to draw the curtains this year
on Star Trek, Nigeria ’s longest running music
concert tour. Expectations were high, given
the huge celebration recorded at nine
previous towns, and especially as theirs was
meant to hold few weeks back but was
unfortunately postponed.
There were fears whether the show would
hold this time around. But the show held and
as was expected, Kwale turned out to be an
unexpected befitting wrap up for Star Trek
2010.
Signs of what to expect emerged early
Saturday evening when there was a heavy
movement of youths to the centre of town
where the Stadium is located. The town folk
trooped out in their thousands. As usual in
recent Star Trek performances, some
upcoming acts were given opportunity to
shine but the first big act to perform in the
night was Jukebox, Star Quest 2010 winning
band who came in singing their hit tract
“ Omalicha Nwa”.
They did some stunts and a special song for
Da Grin. When the crowd thought it was
over, the group returned with special a
Thank You song. To them, it was their own
way of appreciating all those who voted for
them during the talent hunt programme
which ended early April.
They were closely followed by D’accord,
another Star Quest winning band who came
with their energetic dance style. Bracket also
performed their popular song Yori Yori
asking some spectators to prove their
knowledge of the song.
The high point of their performance was a
dramatic performance of Ada Owerri, where
some ladies were picked up from the crowd
to dance. It was an interesting night and the
second half of the night was even more
entertaining with performances from Faze,
Bracket, Wande Coal and P-Square.
The last weekend of Star Trek 2010 was not
only outstanding but, a befitting ending to
the national music tour which has so far
lived up to expectations as the longest
running music concert tour in Nigeria.

Timaya's is not born again

It’s almost mid year and the albums are
beginning to drop, excluding the very
anticipated ones though. Following 2face’s
Unstoppable cue released last month, Timaya
is in an early lead too, showing off his brand
new self and style in a creative environment
that is not K-Solo ’s. It would be safe to
assume that a divine transaction took place
involving Timaya and that ’s why his new
album is titled De Rebirth.
Since lying low after his well publicised
strings of misbehaviour which he capped
with a romance-related Church tantrum
landing him in the police station, Timaya has
soft-pedaled, but not on his trade.
Timaya
His album cover image and title strengthens
the ‘repentance’ assumption but his content
don’t quite testify. Although now less militant
and self asserting, De Rebirth is not exactly
expressed in ‘the Lord is good’ or ‘see what
the Lord has done’ terms. Rather, his lyrics
seem to say, ‘Don’t be deceived by the title
because I’m not turned born again and a
braggart I will always be’.
To prevent the monotonous, however
successful, effect that his last album-
exclusively produced by K-Solo had, the
Bayelsa rebel engaged nine young
production talents including K-Solo to churn
out his new work.
They are Akeem D Beat, Fair Face, Flux, J.Sleek,
Jiggi Jego, K. Solo, M Yice, N.D and Pheeno.
Also, he carries along his Dem Mama Soldiers:
2Solo, Allenian, T.J and Wrecoba; a bunch of
boys he ’s grooming. For professional
synergy, he equally teams up with rapper M.I
and Nigerian pop king, 2Face.
Tracks on the album include his lead single,
Plantain Boy, About that time ft 2Face, Life
Anaga ft M.I, Happy Birthday, Who born You,
and his 4-minute dedication to the Nigerian
media- Press.

Ajasa's moved too

No, he didn’t wait for Da Grin to die before
moving on with his rap game. As a matter of
fact, Da Grin made a cameo on his new work
before exit. Pioneer Yoruba rapper, Lord of
Ajasa, officially unveiled his latest album to
the press on Tuesday.
The excited rapper feels very optimistic
about his new work titled 3rd Avenue. “I feel
real good about the album because it’s for
everybody; both young and old. Each track is
a hit on its own ”, he boasted.
3rd Avenue is Ajasa’s third attempt at
sustaining relevance on the Nigerian music
scene.
Lord of Ajasa
A lover of directions, his second album was
titled 2nd turning by the right. His new work
houses 13 tracks and parades cameos from
Pasuma, YQ, Jemima, Suspect, Virus, K-Solo,
Isolate, Reminese and Da Grin.
All songs on the album have K-Solo’s
production signature except for tracks, 6, 9
and 13 which were produced by Yeankeyz.
The album is marketed by Chilla
Entertainment. “It (3rd Avenue) is more
matured when compared to the last one in
terms of production and lyrical content ”,
Ajasa said. That’s left for all to agree or
disagree.

Emem gets a training centre

Leading female film maker, Emem Isong, last
Monday, June 7, opened the doors of her
pet-project, Royal Arts Academy for business
to boost the movie industry.
Emem, speaking at theopening ceremony,
said it was established to provide conducive
environment for training young Nigerians in
of filmmaking.
According to the producer, the Academy will
contribute to the transformation,
development and growth of Nigerian and
African movie industry, by offering first
class training to students who would go on
to produce excellent films that would place
Nollywood at a par with the international
community.
Emem Isong
The Academy, she said, offers qualitative
courses in the various aspects of the film
industry with emphasis on script writing,
acting, directing, dance and children ’s
theatre,
The centre is based in the Surulere, Lagos, the
academy. According to Emem, a Theatre Arts
graduate of the University of Calabar, it had
become necessary to improve and develop
skills in order to meet the international
standards of film making.
“At Royal Arts Academy, we are committed to
enabling all our students to profit from a
culture of learning and aligning with our
teaching ethos. We also aim to support
students so that they can achieve their full
academic potentials, while also equipping
them for the demands of continuous
learning and self-reliance. We want learning
at Royal Arts Academy to be challenging,
rewarding and fun, ” Isong explained.
At the end of every session, the academy,
she said, will produce a movie/soap opera/
series written by the screen writers class,
using actors from the acting class and
directed by the best directing students with
supervising professionals.
It will also act as artiste manager, casting
agency for other production houses, script
and production consultants.
Actress Monalisa Chinda as well as Anietie
Isong, and Uduaka Oguamanam form the
management team of the a