She may not be the best actress in the game, but Aisha Abimbola’s interpretive role in the movie, Omoge Campus, shot the pretty Isale Eko, Lagos born and Lagos Polytechnic graduate into limelight years back. In this interview with ORUKPE NELSON, the lady who insists her intimidating height and voice has helped her in getting movie roles opens up on her career, romance and marriage.

Are you producing any film this year?

Definitely I should and I have to produce my film this year. It is long overdue and so this year must not pass by without me producing a film.

When was the last time you produced one?

I have never produced because I never believed we all can be producers. I used to think all of us cannot be producers but right now, I am ready for it. I have been in this industry for over 12 years. I have written my script, it is just that I have never summoned the courage to produce them. My friends in the industry are encouraging me to produce my film. I have seen younger colleagues come in and make good movies, so the time is now for me to produce my movie. I have decided to let go of my fears and do something. It has been screenplayed, my scripts and my cast were also ready but I chickened out because I was scared.

Why were you scared?

I have seen producers cry and I am very scared of the market. Every marketer you talk to have a story to tell, but I am going to take the risk, after all business is all about risks.

What is your budget for the movie?

It is going to be single digit millions.The movie will dwell on familyand I am working on a movie that children can sit and watch because I have banned my children from watching some of our films. I am a professional but I am speaking as a mother now; there are some movies I don’t want my children to watch because I categorise such films as adult films. We have roles to play as mothers and guardians, don’t be too busy to watch the kind of movies your children watch. They are our future and I can’t destroy my future just because I want to get them entertained. I am careful with what I expose them to because I don’t want them to imbibe bad values.

Can you give us a glimpse into your background?

My parents were very practical and disciplined. So I grew up tough. We were only allowed to watch news and cartoons then. Bed time was 9pm. My children now know bed time is 9pm and there is no going back on that.

How did you get into the film industry?

I have always wanted to act since myprimary school days and I was a member of cultural and theatre groups. As an undergraduate at Lagos State Polytechnic where I studied catering and hotel management, Wale Adenuga group came to my department to shoot. Before then I told the theatre coordinator that I would love to act, but he gave me excuses.

When they came, the coordinator was not around and Antar Laniyan was sitting down obviously waiting for a particular actress. Though I never liked him because of the role he played in Hostages, here he was sitting down and it was one thin line between me and destiny. So I let go of whatever I had in mind about him.

I greeted him and he replied with that husky voice of his. I told him I wanted to act, he looked up at me and asked if I have been acting. I am sure when he looked at me, he wanted to see if my physique matched the artiste they were waiting for. That was how I walked into my destiny. I was auditioned, he was impressed and that marked the beginningof my career as a professional actress. I am still thanking God for that great opportunity and I am still thanking Antar Laniyan for giving me that role.

How is your relationship with Antar Laniyan now since you said you never liked him before you met?

There comes a time when you separate the character from the real person. When I came of age I told him I use to hate him and we both laughed over it. We have worked together severally and he is a mentor. I have had people almost stoning me because of a particular role I played. I smile and I see such act more of a compliment because if I had not acted convincingly, they wouldn’t have gone that far. Definitely they were convinced that I was what I was not. There was a time armed robbers came to our camp when I was working with Tunji Bamishigbin. One of the robbers said he liked me so much because of the way I handle guns in movies. At the end of the day, they only went away with some items without harming anybody.

What is the most challenging role you have played?

I have not seen any movie that is not challenging but one of the most challenging will be the lead roles I acted when I was still a novice. Then I had to come face to face with top actors and actresses, I had to confront them because of the nasty roles I have to play. I confronted and insulted elders in the industry like Antar Laniyan, Jide Kosoko and for others. I didn’t like that role I have to slap Odunlade Adekola because he is a grown man, he is someone’s father and a topstar. Even after the scene we were still searching for his glasses and there was one I had to throw a glass cup at someone and he actually had a very deep bad cut.

When I play such roles I get tensed and even after the scene, I still want to go on. I am naturally a very soft person.

Aside acting, what else do you do?

I’m an event manager and since I studied catering and hotel management, I offer catering services at events. I also do some buying and selling.

Somebody once described you as being very secretive especially when it has to do with your private life.

I am and I will always be. I am a rolemodel to many people and it will be out of place if I start discussing something that may discourage them.

Don’t you think this will create room for rumours?

Even if you talk, people will still spread falsehood. I don’t really care what they say but at the right time, I will speak out.

Is there a secret behind your radiance?

Thanks, but I radiate what is inside of me because I have God. I want more but I am a very contented person. I want more but not desperately. Laugh if you can but before anybody criticize me, I pray to God to make them go through what I have gone through in life.

Are you in any relationship now?

Yes, I am. I am a woman and so I am in love.

Would you like to talk about it?

I have good people like my children, siblings, friends and colleagues around me. I am in love with them all.

So tell me, who is Aisha Abimbola?

Aisha Abimbola is a cool headed, God fearing, humble and down to earth lady. I’m a mother. I’m from a polygamous home. My father had appetite for women and so had five wives. My mother had five of us and I am number three. My mum had a set of triplets and I am one of them. And that explains my Eta Oko.