Together with Osita Iheme (Pawpaw), Chinedu Ikedieze, popularly known as Aki, has made immense fortune by using what could be termed as a ‘disadvantage’ positively. In an encounter with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS, he speaks about marital life, an alleged rancour with Pawpaw, fulfilment and unfulfilled desires.
Are you fulfilled?
I am fulfilled, but you know one can never be totally fulfilled until the person dies. No matter how successful you are, there is still that desire to achieve more. And in every facet of life you find yourself, you would always pray for a better tomorrow. I don’t think anybody likes to be static in life in the things he or she does. I told God that in my chosen career, I want to be successful and I am happy I am successful as an actor.
I want to be remembered not only as a great actor, but also as a legend and a good philanthropist who had the fear of God. I want to touch so many lives positively. I want people to always remember me with a smile and continue to pray for me. Even if I am no more, I would be happy wherever I am.
Why did you choose acting?
My background contributed a lot to who I am today and it is still contributing. I grew up with my grandmother in Abia State and I learnt a lot from her. She gave me a free hand to operate as a little boy and that gave me the opportunity to know how to set traps, play pranks on people and to know other little things that children usually do. The experience really influenced what I do today because most of the films I do are child-friendly. You will always see me playing one mischievous role or the other and I learnt these things while I was a little boy. I got that experience from my maternal home and I took some from my mother too when I was staying with her.
Also, every child has a story; you know I was a street boy so to speak. When I put all those little things I gathered on the streets to use in what I do today, they come out well at the end of the day. Aki is the character that everybody knows me for, but Chinedu Ikedieze is not a mischievous person.
My first movie was ‘Evil Men’ in 1998 and I was paid N500, which was big money then. I was also a student at that time.
Why did you stop acting alongside Pawpaw?
We still do movies together. Of course, we’ve grown over the years in the industry. As I talk to you right now, I can show you messages of a movie we are supposed to do but I am so committed to the job I am doing presently. I can’t do it because my schedules are very tight. The producer has been pleading I should look for time because the movie is meant for two of us. Starring in movies together is based on our availability, so you cannot just put that unfortunate state on one person and it is not anybody’s fault.
Don’t you see Pawpaw as a strong rival?
I don’t see anybody as a competitor in the industry. I see myself as one who is endowed with artistic blessings and prowess. I cannot go and start competing with one person or another. I pray every day that I should do what I do well and I put in my best so that people can continue to appreciate what I do.
How did you survive when acting was not paying?
When you know where you are headed, you would keep going even when you are tired. If you are tired of walking, you start crawling until you gain a little strength. When you gain strength, you start jogging and when the strength increases, you start running. That is the theory of life. I knew I was getting close to my destination and I kept going. It was not my strength; I feel God gave me strength.
When did you move to Lagos?
I started paying house rent in Lagos in 2003, though I finally moved to Lagos in 2005. I have always loved Lagos. For my kind of job, I saw Lagos as a very conducive place to function and to equally thrive for other things.
Marriage makes me more responsible. It is lovely. For those who run into murky waters, I just believe a lot of them are not always ready before taking the plunge; they just jumped into it because they are in to get one or two things
Don’t you feel awkward sometimes pretending to be a child in movies?
Acting is a life I have chosen for myself and the person too. If you see a police man today who is carrying gun, the first thing that comes to your mind is that he could shoot and that makes you to address the man fearfully. The same thing applies to other military men because they’ve created a life around that personality. That is how people see actors; they still relate to us like people they see on TV. Once it dawns on them you are different from the person they saw on TV, they return to their normal selves or become more conscious. I am an actor and an actor could be an engineer today and a doctor tomorrow. So, an actor plays the role of anybody. I have no intension to stop playing certain roles. I am an actor; I can act anything as far as I don’t go against the ethics and norms of the job.
Are there plans to improve yourself ?
Apart from obtaining my first degree in Mass Communication at The Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu, I had the opportunity to go to New York Film Academy in 2004. I did a certificate programme and I have learnt over the years on the job too. But going by my plans when I finished secondary school, I should have had my second master’s or my PhD. Other things have been taking my attention and I am not happy about that. When you see me again, I might just be finishing a particular course.
What has marriage changed about you?
Marriage makes me more responsible. It is lovely. For those who run into murky waters, I just believe a lot of them are not always ready before taking the plunge; they just jumped into it because they are in to get one or two things. Some also go into it out of pressure or probably because their siblings or friends are getting married.
Why did you settle for your wife?
The qualities I found in her is between my wife and I. I was okay with whatever qualities I found in her. If I was not okay, I don’t think I would have tied the knot with her. So, any other person can have his or her say.
How do you spend your day?
I like seeing programmes on television when I get home after work hours. I don’t like to miss the 10pm news. I see one or two things before I sleep because I don’t sleep early. I need to know what is happening around the world. If I am not working, I wake up around 8am. I observe my prayers and then do little exercise.
