I Would Have Been A Known Scientist If Not For Acting-Saheed Balogun

In a recent interview with The Vanguard, Saheed Balogun revealed that he would have been a scientist if he was not acting and he went ahead to say that his marriage didn't affect his relevance in the movie industry. He also advised his colleagues to locate their calling and help the industry.

Read excerpts from the interview below.....

On how he ventured into acting

Acting for me is an inborn talent because I got the gift from my dad who would make every one laugh
at the barracks including the “always frowning and most feared” soldiers. I have only commercialized mine and I am so happy I did. Again, the desire and passion for acting was like a burning fire and I have followed it to the last letter.


When asked what he could have been doing if not acting, his reply was....

Well, I would have been a known scientist. I like researches and that has reflected in most of my movies. I am the first actor in Africa who has
produced a two-cast movie and the first to do a film where every actor and actress wore Ankara in West Africa. I also did a movie where I was the only black man. And also the first to do a three-cast movie. All these put together is a result of rigorous
research. My name will forever ring a bell in Nollywood because I have done what many actors will not go close to doing. I will again rewrite history by May next year with a one cast movie.

On why the producers are not smiling
Nigeria is close to lawlessness. Piracy has dominated the make-believe industry. I spent N21 million on “You or I” and to make my money means selling like 10,000 copies which was impossible.
A candid look at the Yoruba sector of Nollywood reveals that many actors act, produce and direct their films, what do you think is behind this?
It also happens in America where people, who have the ability to act, produce and direct movies professionally go into it. For instance, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly had one person as the producer
and director, but it came out as a bomb. But what we have in Nigeria is the outcome of our poverty level.

Actors are trying every possible means to cut cost and maximize profits. This often leads to most
of our films lacking focus.

I will use this medium to plead with my fellow actors to locate their calling and help this industry grow. Also, some actors do this to meet deadline. In a case where the executive producer wants the
movie ready in three days and you can’t get a good director within the short notice, the actor will direct
the movie and play the lead role himself because he would not want to be in the black book of the producer. Remember, he who pays the piper dictates the tune.

What do you think is the way out of the mess?

Piracy has to be reduced to a zero level in Nigeria.
Everybody in the entertainment world must know where he or she belongs. Actors should refuse to be instruments in the hands of politicians. Recently, Dr Joe Odumakin addressed the Golden Movie Ambassador and I knew we really needed change in many sectors of the industry and this can only be achieved when we are focused. There are some talented actors who you will never find in unbaked or half-baked movies .

Can we say your broken marriage is the cause why you have not been acting ?

My broken marriage has nothing to do with this, besides; I don’t need to be in 50 movies to remain relevant in the industry. I am busy with my
research so as to come out with a quality and distinct work of art. When I get good scripts, I will be on set. And I am giving the upcoming actors and actresses space.

On the most memorable day as an actor

August 26th 2006 was the day I had an accident on my way home from a location and I was already taken to the morgue but my mentor, God brought me back to life.

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