Chinedu ikedieze in an exclusive Interview with TS WEEKEND
revealed how he met his ‘twin’ and colleague in the Nollywood industry. He also
revealed that he was already in the industry for “three’ years before paw-paw
joined him. See the full details he provided on this particular ‘subject-matter’
during the interview
I started acting in
1998. He came into the industry three years later in 2001. I was in school then
and we had a job so he had this opportunity to shoot in Enugu. He had just
started acting then. We met in the hotel
lobby where we were lodged. We talked and I discovered he was a very shy
fellow. Before then Amayo Uzor had been telling me that ‘Chinedu, just hang on,
there is boy I have seen that looks just like you and guess what, he is in the
industry and I am working on a script for the both of you.’ After our meeting,
they called us and gave us scripts; that was the first time I did pure comedy.
The movie was entitled Aki Na Ukwa.
Lately unlike in the past, you guys no longer hang out together like
you used to. What is happening?
We started doing
movies in September 2001 and until 2008 or 2009, we were paired together. I
don’t think there is anything bad if we do separate jobs now. I was there three
years before him and even when we were pairing, we also did our own personal
stuff where we were featured separately. Somebody could come and say I want Aki
for this job or I want Pawpaw; we were free to do whatever we wanted.
But are you guys still good friends?
Yes of course, we even
run an NGO and a company together, Aki & Pawpaw Child Care Foundation and
Aki & Pawpaw Entertainment. Even as I am talking to you, we are travelling
together soon. We have a show and we just finished a job together. We have
shows like five times together every year. However, people should know that we
also have our individual dreams.
What is the secret to your success?
God first and I try to
be myself. I try to research and learn that which I don’t know.
We understand that several times you have been mobbed overseas by fans.
Can you share your experience with us?
(Laughter) There was a day in America when Osita and I
went to an eatery disguised. I had my hood on and Osita also had his so we were
covered up. As we were living we ran into a bunch of American kids. How these
kids got to know we were the ones still baffles me! Before we knew it they were
screaming Aki and Pawpaw! Aki and Pawpaw! Even deep inside the Caribbean we are
mobbed! Even white Americans are excited whenever they see us; it is crazy!
How much were you paid for your first movie?
Very interesting, you
won’t believe it. I was paid N500
(laughter). I did not do that movie for the money. I
used the N500 to buy a ring boiler. I was not discouraged. The title of
the movie was Evil Men Part 1.