Encomium
NOLLYWOOD star, Rukky Sanda has denied the tale hovering around that she has worn a new look, courtesy of plastic surgery. This, she debunked when ENCOMIUM Weekly had an exclusive interview with her at her Surulere, Lagos residence on Friday, November 25, 2011. The Lagos State born pretty thespian also opened up on other issues including an alleged affair with Kokomaster, D’Banj.
What is going on at the moment in the stable of Rukky Sanda?
A lot of beautiful things but basically, it’s all work I am concentrating on now. I am fully into production at the moment. We have already shot two movies, one of them is entitled The Search. We hope to premiere this in December if it is ready on time.
Apart from you, who are the other stars in the movie?
I have Van Vicker, Yemi Blaq, Nze, Susan Peters and a lot of others.
What informed the title?
It’s about two girls, one searching and the other not searching. That is just the simplest title I can come up with.
Is it a real life story or just fiction?
I would say it’s not anybody’s real life story per se but it is what is going on in everyday life. It’s what everyone can relate with.
There was a time you told us you wanted to embark on shooting a soap opera but nothing was heard about it again, why?
I have not started filming it because I have too many films I am doing right now and I am trying to concentrate on two or three, I can’t dabble into so many things at a time.
How often do you feature in Ghanaian movies?
I have never been to Ghana or any other African country apart from South Africa. So, I have not shot any movie in Ghana.
But there was this movie, Hot Sex which you allegedly featured in?
That’s not true.
The movie we are talking about has your face partly shown on the cover of the jacket and you’re half nude?
Not me, I don’t know the movie you’re talking about. Is it Sex Player you’re talking about? I only remember I did a movie entitled Sex Player. Myself, Ini Edo, John Dumelo and others. The movie wasn’t shot in Ghana.
Where was it shot?
It was shot in Asaba, Nigeria. Maybe they gave it another title in Ghana. I have never been to Ghana and even the producer of the movie is a Nigerian.
Can you tell us briefly what your role in the movie was?
The title of the movie wasn’t appropriate because it doesn’t have anything to do with sex at all. It’s not my film, I can’t contest the title with the script writer and the producer. But left to me, the title is not right.
What type of role do you enjoy interpreting in a movie?
I can play any role but I won’t go out of my way. As far as I can relate to the character.
Do you take delight in playing romantic roles?
It’s not about a romantic role, a role is a role. If you’re given a script, it’s not about a role, you’re being paid per the quality of job you do. A fee is a fee, it doesn’t matter.
But if you’re given a role that involves kissing, kissing and kissing endlessly…
It’s still a role. Everything depends on you. You can accept or reject it. If you feel you can relate with the character and you want to do it, you can go ahead. It’s not as if you’re going to be paid extra because you have to kiss. As far as you know who you are working with and you have a common chemistry with the person, fine. If not, it is not by force you act the role if you are not comfortable with it.
Can you play that kind of role?
It all depends on the script, I don’t have any problem with that. And it also depends on whether you’re okay with the person involved. Anyway, it’s strictly a professional thing, it doesn’t have to do with my personal life. It’s left for you to do your job well.
Is there any actor you can kiss on set?
We are all professionals, if they give you the script, if you want to work with the person, you can go ahead and if you say you’re not interested in working with the person, no one will impose it on you.
Would you say you’re among the most sought after actresses right now?
I don’t know, I am not going to rate myself because that’s not my job. I can’t start blowing my own trumpet, I can’t put myself in any standard. It’s the people that watch us that will place you where you belong. The job we do is people’s opinion and not your own personal opinion about yourself.
The journey into acting started in 2004, how would you describe the experience so far?
It has been wonderful. I never saw acting as a profession, I only took it as something I loved to do but now I am more serious about it. I am involved in production, I am making movies that people are not used to. The Search I told you about is my fourth movie. We have even finished another one but we are having problem with the title because of this copyright of a thing.
A lot of people still believe that no actress can make headway without having a man behind her, what is your reaction to this?
I would say those saying that are insane. I don’t think they have any brain at all. As far as I am concerned, I am single and people that know me will tell you I work very hard. I don’t care about the impression any one may have, I don’t care about what anybody says, they can tag actresses whatever they like, I am not bothered. I think I have reached a stage in my career that nothing bothers me again. It was when I just started that such things used to bother me. At times, I would start contemplating throwing in the towels but now I have passed that stage.
That means nothing could be written that moves you again?
Yes, even in most cases I don’t get to see them and no one ever had the gut to say it to my face that I am this, I am that. It’s amazing these scandals or gossips don’t bother me. It’s amazing how some people want to die over such. What bothers me is how I am going to move forward in my career, move to the next level.
But the impression right now is that movies are not selling and actresses also not well paid. But most of you are swimming in fortune, how come?
I don’t know about any other person, I can only speak for myself. I can count the number of movies I have done, maybe most of my movies coming out now are those that I did last year. This year, I concentrated on my films, I have only worked for one marketer. I have a plan of what I do every year but one thing that is certain is that I do business which brings me money. I am a business minded person apart from acting. I buy and sell.
Like what and what?
Everything legitimate. I sell clothes, I don’t just sell to everybody, I have a class of people that I buy clothes for. I sell in bulk. I sell other things so far they bring me money.
What would you say acting has done for you?
I have never thought of that before but now I have realized that it’s a great opportunity that God has given me as an actress. I have the voice that so many people don’t have. I can say something I consider stupid now but it will matter to some people, that it may eventually have impact on their lives. So, I realized acting has given voice, it’s a rare opportunity. Having a voice means that people love to hear what you want to say. People see you as role model, some people love you, some may hate you for no just cause, some people are jealous of you and all that. It makes me realize that oh! This is what I have and I am going to make use of it. I have never thought of that in my life. I thank God I am moving on with my career, especially now that I am more involved in production.
Is it right to say that Rukky Sanda is there already or you’re still about getting to your desired height in the industry?
I have not reached anywhere, I have not really acted, I am just about to begin, my best is yet to come because I want to do my own film in a unique way. I still want to write the scripts that nobody else has written in the industry.
What is your greatest aspiration in life?
Being a fulfilled and accomplished script writer and I believe I am going to that level by God’s grace.
Sometimes in August 2011, we learnt you turned 30?
That means I am old already (laughs). People will never know my age apart from my family.
We learnt it was celebrated in London, how true is it?
Let me tell you the truth, I am not 30 yet. I know I will be 30 soon, sometime. So, I didn’t celebrate 30th birthday at all.
But the news in town then was that the bash was put together by your boyfriend?
So, I heard too but I don’t know anything about that because I am still single.
Some were even saying you’re dating D’Banj and that the birthday bash was organized by him…
(Cuts in quickly) Please, its better you don’t even mention anybody’s name at all. If I am single, would I be dating D’Banj?
But that gives you a license to date anybody you like, is that not true?
But I am telling you I am single and I am not dating anybody.
Are you not searching?
I am not the one searching in the movie. What I can tell you is that I am single.
Can you tell us the secret of your success?
It’s hard work, determination and being focused. Above all, God because with Him all things are possible.
People still believe you must have a man behind all these fortunes you’re swimming in?
That’s their business, let them continue to bother their heads about whatever impression they have.
The latest tale about you is that you’ve undergone plastic surgery, how true is it?
As you’re looking at me now, do I look like someone who has undergone plastic surgery? All I have said about plastic surgery is that it’s not a sin. If you can afford it, go for it. That’s just my own impression about it. I thank God you knew me before now, I believe you should be able to differentiate between my face then and now.
You’re an all time radiant actress, what is the secret of your good look?
It’s God and you also need to be happy.
Searching or not, how does it feel to be single at your age?
It’s amazing. It’s the best thing happening to me at the moment because I see myself being in a good state of the mind.
Have you been heartbroken?
Everybody has been heartbroken. Maybe when you’re teenager or thereabout, you may have a crush on one boy but it might not work the way you wanted it and all that.
This story was first published in Encomium Weekly on Tuesday, November 29, 2011
