Why I Married My Husband Secretly” - Actress Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha

Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha is one of the popular

Nigerian actresses, who has done quite well for

herself in the industry since she joined in 2000.

With over 50 movie roles to her credit in the last 13

years, the actress recently joined the world of

producers with her debut flick, On Bended Knees.

She spoke to Movie Moments’ Mutiat Alli on her

life, people’s perception of her been arrogant and

her hubby.

How do you feel as a new entrant into the

world of production?

I can’t really explain how I feel because this a

dream I have nurtured for so long and seeing it

come to reality is just like a dream come true to me

and perhaps the reception has been immeasurable

considering the fact that it is my first major

production as a producer.

What actually prompted your decision to

turn producer over night?

I want to correct that impression of me turning

into a producer over night simply because I have

been in the industry for quite an age now and for

me to produce a movie of my own is just to let the

world understand the fact that even been an

actress; I can as well turn out to be fantastic

producer and that has been my dream for a very

long time.

On Bended Knees is directed by good

hands; what formed your choice of

selection?

I feel they both understood what I was looking out

for in the production of the movie; so having

Emem Isong and Lancelot Imasuen as my

directors is the greatest thing that happened to me

because they both believed in my dream. Even at

the time of giving up on the production; they were

both there to encourage me and at the end of it all

I was able to have a fantastic movie.

What is the movie all about?

On Bended Knees is a movie very dear to my heart.

It’s a captivating story of a young and vibrant man

who relegated his duties as a husband and the

man of the house to the background. His wife,

ignored and lonely, finds comfort in the company

of her boss. It is discovered that the wife is having

an affair with her boss and things take a new twist.

This story happens every day even in the midst of

the “seemingly” perfect relationships. It’s a movie

every home should have and watch.

Considering when you started in the

industry; what is your view on the standard

of movies been produced in Nigeria

presently?

Well professionally, I started acting in 2000 and

there is a far difference between the kind of films

produced now and back in the days; I can

authoritatively say it loud and clear that the

Nigerian movie industry has been impressive

considering the kind of equipments we now use in

shooting our movies. Also, we have been able to

meet up with international standard. I believe the

sky is our starting point and definitely not our

limit.

You have managed and maintain an almost

scandal free reputation; how have you been

able to manage this?

I feel it has been the grace of God because we all

are not created perfect and as such we just

manage to be our self and be of the best behavior.

 I just feel being an actor opens you up to

controversies, scandals and all that. Maybe I’ve just

been lucky.

You turned 33 just last month. Looking

ahead, what do you hope to have achieved

by your next birthday?

I hope that by my next birthday, I would have

done another movie and grown from this level.

There is no stagnancy in the industry. If you don’t

see an actor for a period of time in movies, it

doesn’t mean they are not doing something. Some

are directing, some are producing, some are

rebranding. There is no dry moment. For me, I

want to move to another level by my next birthday.

As a married woman, what has marriage

taught you?

I have learnt a lot from been a married woman

because it only take the Grace of God for two

people who are completely different to stay

together for the rest of their lives. One major thing

I have learnt is patience and perseverance. One

needs to tolerate one another. I and my husband

not just see ourselves as been married; we are also

friends.

Much has not been said about your

husband; how will you describe him and

why haven’t we been seeing you two

together?

I have got the best husband as a friend and the

father of my children; he is loving, caring and has

been supportive of my career and for not seeing

him around me; it’s our mutual agreement to make

our marriage private. We are happy and our

source of joy been our children.

What is that one impression that people

have about you and you would like to

correct?

Definitely it’s going to be on this issue of me been

arrogant which I know I am not; I strongly believe

in the saying that you don’t judge a book by its

cover. I guess people of that impression are people

who don’t know me or aren’t closer to me. I am not

arrogant