Encomium
AARON Sunday is one of the fast rising actors in Nollywood. He also does voice over. He graduated from the University of Calabar, Akwa Ibom State, where he studied Theatre Arts before he proceeded to White Film Academy, United Kingdom.
In this interview with ENCOMIUM Weekly, Aaron Sunday spoke about where he’s headed and more.
Tell us about your role in House of Badmus?
I played the role of Funsho Ajayi. It’s a comedy series. The character I played was a guy who wants an easy way of making money. At the end of the day, everything would have backfired. He wanted to be an actor, he had two friends, they graduated from the same university. One is called Lanre, he studied Music. The other, Robert wanted to be a comedian. They all studied Theatre Arts but were squatting with Lanre, because Lanre’s father was the owner of the house.
How did acting start for you?
I found myself acting in my dreams. I dreamt like three times, I saw myself acting alongside Desmond Elliot and Bukky Ajayi, but I never wanted to act because I thought I didn’t have the time. I didn’t really have this love for Nollywood. When we go for drama meeting in school, I would sneak out. By the time I finished my secondary school education, I had the dream. I told my mom, so she told me to give it a try. That was around 2009. Ever since, I began to think of becoming a great actor.
How has the journey been?
It has been awesome. Sometimes I get paid, other times you don’t get called back. But if you have the desire, the passion, you don’t look for the money alone. It’s been an amazing journey.
There were lots of obstacles on your way up, what kept you going?
What has kept me going is my burning desire, my passion, my love for interpreting characters because I think breathing life into a character is really interesting.
Who are your influence, who inspired you?
Channing Tatum, Keanu Reeves. Whenever I watch them, I picture myself in the characters they play. I love their interpretation of roles and I think they are amazing. In Nollywood I admire a lot of young actors like Blossom Chukwujeku, Adeyemi Okanlawon. We went through acting class together at Kings Theatre. I also admire Gideon Okeke, Bimbo Manuel, Taiwo Ajai, Bimbo Akintola. I would love to work with them.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
With God on my side, I see Aaron Sunday doing what he wants, not just acting but empowering young, talented people who want to be actors.
Is there anybody you are trying to pattern your kind of acting after?
I strongly believe one thing that stands me out is my uniqueness, my own way of interpreting characters. You mustn’t act like someone else, you have to believe in yourself. I want to do things my own way so that people will be connected to me.
Tell us some of the movies you have featured apart from House of Badmus.
I have been opportuned to work with Genevieve Studio, Tales of Eve, where I played the role of Osagie. I had the opportunity to play two roles, a role of an old man, then a young man, Karma, two sides of a coin. I am currently working with Emerald on Stepmom, Saviour, Drive, Trap and a couple of others.
What will you do to ensure you don’t get bored acting?
As an actor, you never get done. The more you learn, the more you advance in your career. Most people think it’s all about fame but it’s not just that. That’s why it’s called showbiz. Some people act for money while some want to impact lives. But I think if you have both, you will succeed. Regardless of your position, you have to be humble.
Is the business really profitable? How are things with you?
It depends. At times, you only want to work, but you don’t have to focus only on the show. The business aspect of showbiz is another essential aspect because we must eat.
– NKECHINYERE IBEMERE
