Nollywood actress, Rukayat Akinsanya, otherwise known as Rukky Sanda, premiere her eighteenth movie titled; ‘Dark’ recently in Lagos. In this interview with ORUKPE NELSON, she speaks about her career, relationship and sundry issues.

You premiere your movie dubbed ‘Dark’, what informed this title?

I was actually at home writing the script when I got the insight to use the name. The movie starred several super stars, among which we have Adunni, Monalisa Chinda and so on.

Virtually all your movies are romance based, looking at movies like ‘Keeping My Man’, ‘Gold Diggin’, etc, is there a reason you weave your storylines around love?

I love writing about relationships and I really don’t know why. But I can assure you that ‘Dark’ is entirely different; it’s a thriller dotted with so much of things expected in a thrilling movie. It is different from what I have done or what many think that I am doing.

Would you share some candid ideas of the movie?

The movie is about a strange woman who lost her child in a surgery, and she believed the doctor was responsible for it. So she was desperate for revenge against the doctor who has a child about the same age with hers.

You’re Yoruba, but you’ve produced 17 movies in English. When will you be producing a Yoruba film?

I have it in mind because I am an executive producer. I really need to be sure I’m going to get my money back. I do not really know how their market works, and I have actually spoken to the platform I sell my own movies to, on how much they buy Yoruba movies plus some other information. So, if I get the proper network, I will do it. I actually have a script I’m supposed to do with Ramsey Nouah. However, it’s not a full Yoruba film, but it’s a Yoruba setting. I really don’t know how I’m going to do the full one yet, although I speak Yoruba, it’s not all the time. Yoruba films are amazing. So I’m going to do it when the time comes; my mum also wants me to do it.

How fluent are you in Yoruba language?

Very fluent; I’m a Lagos girl.

Ten years or thereabout in your career and seventeen movies from your platform; how come you delved into movie production so early in your career?

Well, basically for me, it was more of the business aspect of it at the time, because I’ve always believed in investment; I’ve always been a business person. So when I decided to do it, people did not give me the right information on how to go about it, how much I was going to need, what you will make and all that. They would tell you a ridiculous amount so you’ll freak out; that was the way it was for me. My first movie obviously did not work out like that from 2006 and I was nowhere to be found. Just because there was no avenue like the internet, and the DSTV was not the way they are now, I fell short on the distribution aspect of it.

Most Yorubas will begin their career in Yoruba movie industry before crossing over, but your story seems different. Why did you begin from Nollywood?

At the time when I started acting in 2004, I was in LASU and school was on strike, and I was so idle then, even though I did business at the time. So I met my sister’s friend who worked with movie makers then. She invited me to an audition where I got a role to play. And at the end of the audition, I decided I was never going to do it again because we had to do it overnight. From that point, I stopped doing movie until 2006 when I graduated.

How many businesses are you into?

I love doing different things. I also love anything related to arts. So I do interior designing, I produce movies, I write and I direct too. I also edit; I edit all my movies. I think I just like being involved in everything.

Of all the businesses you do, which one takes most of your time?

I love the interior job; like making beautiful rooms that I can’t even afford.

What is the most annoying thing a fan has ever said to you?

I’ve never experienced that before; no fan has ever offended me.

What are your beauty tips?

I just try to be myself and be healthy. But one thing I just discovered has happened lately is that, I seem to be adding weight. And, I’m glad my house help ran away two weeks ago and with my wallet. So I decided that I’m going to be laying my bed myself. The reason I said I’m glad is because I don’t eat as much as I used to anymore; the boy knew how to do everything and he’ll do it simultaneously; before one finishes, another is ready. I was just eating like a glutton, but I guess I’m okay now.

Do you cook and what is your favourite meal?

Of course, I cook. I only like to cook for people; I don’t like cooking to eat. And I have my own cooking book, so I like to experiment.

How did piercing appeal to you?

I think I’ve had the piercing for about fifteen years now.

How were you able to hide it from your parents since you would still be in school then?

I actually had it in my mouth, and moreover, I used to live in the hostel. And my mom is not the type that takes things hard for her children.

You’re rarely caught in native dresses; does that mean you don’t like them?

I’m not really an outgoing person; they occasionally force me to go out. So I scarcely wear it.

Tell us about your love for tattoos?

I think they are just fun. I’m not doing anymore, though, because I have enough already.

A lot of ladies are now on the fad of waist trainers; do you buy that?

I did that for long time, but during the fasting, I couldn’t do it, so I stopped. And I have been lazy to restart.

If you have to pick someone from Nollywood to act with, who will it be?

I think Idris Elba is okay.

What is your fashion weakness?

I want to stop buying bags, because they are bankrupting.

Are your contact lens recommended?

No, they are not.

There’s something about charity works that strikes you often, are you doing anything to give back to the society?

I feed hundred people every week; the food they cook, they take it to the homeless people every week. My mom does the work while I finance it.

Are you a devout Muslim?

I’m devoted to God.

How many times do you pray daily?

Anytime it just comes to my head, I do.

Will you marry a Muslim?

I can marry anybody I love; I don’t care.

What do you look out for in a man?

For me, I think it’s courage, and you have to dress well.

Do you think Nigerian men are romantic?

People are different, so I’m sure there are some who are romantic in their own way.

Have you ever been heart-broken?

Yes, I was heartbroken once.

What was it like?

It was hard though, but I got over it eventually.

Do you wish you’d done anything differently in life?

I don’t regret anything I’ve done; I think everything is a lesson. Everything I’ve been through has brought me here and I am happy with myself; I like everything in my life, so I don’t have a reason to change anything.

How much were you paid for your first movie role?

I think it was eighty thousand naira in 2004.

There was story that you did a plastic surgery, what really happened?

I never did surgery, it’s a contour; and I started contouring very early in life. So basically, people just started to make up stories like that, and it’s normal.