Saidi Balogun: Actors are like messiahs, prophets

I have never regretted been an actor-Saidi Balogun

Veteran Nollywood actor, Saidi Balogun is one of the most versatile actors who combine acting, producing and directing to his cap. His prowess of delivery Is second to none and as such he is one the very few who created new initiatives in the movie industry that includes been the first to produce a one cast movie. Having been faced several challenges; Walata as he is sometimes called is still waxing stronger. In this chat with MUTIAT ALLI, he led us into his world

Every New Year, individuals come up with plans for the year, what are your proposed plans for 2018?
While thanking God for the gift of life and seeing 2018, one of my plans is to be a better person than I was last year. Less not forget I was 50 in the previous year and at the same time I was made a Health ambassador of UCH, Ibadan. While man proposes and God disposes, expect the very best from me as an individual and as a movie maker.

How do you think that actors can enjoy quality health services?
Recently, the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, headed by Prof. Temitope Alonge made me the ambassador on health, not for my name sake, it is for me to work out a pact with my association. We will work together to look into our health matters and prepare for the future. Therefore, when there is any health issue, we won’t be seeking for public help, left and right.

How does it feel like been in 50’s league?

I feel blessed and honoured; a lot of people started the journey same time I was born but are gone now but I give my honest appreciation to Almighty Allah to giver of life for sparing me up to this moment. I am the president of the Golden Movie Ambassador of Nigeria, celebrating my Golden age, appearing in Golden Movie too. So call me the golden boy.

What do you think about life now that you are 50?
I have had the most beautiful moments. A lot of people know my story but, they may not know it all, because even me, I can’t tell my whole story without missing out one or two touching experiences. For me, I am here today because Almighty Allah granted me the grace to be here and I want to live every moment of my life thanking Him for His mercy over my life. As long as life continues, we can’t run away from challenges. What I usually tell people is that my life is an example of a man with plenty of grace. At this point in my life, I want to take things easy and be happy as much as I can. I don’t want to keep anybody in my resentment. It is a new dawn.

What are the things you engaged in before now that you can no longer do because of your age?

I have really experimented and introduced new innovations before, my records speak for me. However, I want to promote the culture of this country now, More so I want to focus on improving the production aspect of it too.

Could you recall the first major movie you featured in?
The first time I faced the camera was in 1978 at NTA. It was a television programme. The first movie I featured in was in Kwara State then. That was a long time ago, I can’t remember the year, it was a cellulous film that never saw the light of the day. I think it was in 1984. That’s what I can recall for now.

Tell us how you started?
I was born in Enugu, grew up in the north and I am a Yoruba boy. I lived with a man who did a lot of French. I can speak the 3 languages and it has been helping me. From the word go my mum knew I would become a good actor. My father was a soldier and a comedian although he didn’t commercialize his own but I am doing it now. I also have guardians in the industry, Madam Saje, Yinka Quadri, Lola Idije etc they helped me grow. I finished my secondary school in 1978 Madam Saje drove me back 8 years after. Lola Idije was always providing money for me any time I had issues at School. They have been calling me Jide Kosoko’s boy and I remain his boy.

You have really taken the industry by storm, you introduced many innovations, one cast movie and all that, what should we expect from you?
I have always prayed to Allah to always allow me make history. In my first half. I moved like an helicopter then, now I will move like a plane because whenever a plane crashes the whole country shivers, I want to sell the image of this country in my second half. We should be able to sell our culture and improve on our technical knowhow. Now I am going to try to rebrand, restructure and reposition.

As a popular actor, do you have plans to venture into politics?
I would say, yes and no. Being a good actor doesn’t mean I may have a good sense of government but if the Lord says yes, I can never say no. However, for now, I don’t think so; it might be in the future.

How do you rate the present political leaders?
I will say one thing, and I would want my fans out there to please pardon me, those who also watch my films should pardon me. But truth must be told, it is the masses that turned politicians to businessmen. It is the masses that empower politicians to play us like Ludo or chess game. Why, a man wants to contest for a political post, and you did not ask for his legacies; where is he coming from? Before contested, he started giving you rice, doing drama, and giving you money. You were collecting his money. It is obvious he is only investing the money. He is going to make back is money and even make extra. So, where do you want development to come from? Before we chose our next leader, let’s look at their legacy. Let’s give the youth the chance to rule. Let’s stop collecting money and rice from politicians.

Do you ever regret choosing acting as a career?
I’ve never regretted being an actor. An actor is like a messiah, we are like prophets, we remind people of the past, show them today and make them see into the future. So, I thank God even with or without money, I thank Him for who I am today.

When are you going to retire from acting?
Acting is not like football where one can retire, check out great actors they retire at very old age, some acted till they clocked 90 years. For now no retirement on my list.

As the president of Golden Movie Ambassadors in Nigeria, what is the aim and objectives of this association?
The primary goal of Golden Movie Ambassadors of Nigeria is to rebuild and restructure the movie industry. Our members should be able to have a gain of being an association not just sitting down to talk.

With TGMA (The Golden Movie Ambassador), what are your achievements so far?
We have done quite a lot, we decided to empower wives of late male actors in the ‘Yoruba-speaking’ movies. These people have suffered for this industry yet their families have been abandoned. This is why we made it a point of duty to assist them, especially some of them with the talents of singing and composing. We have to learn how to help others who are in need. They are part of us and we have to show that we care about them.

As an actor who acts both in English and Yoruba movies, which of these sectors is more rewarding?
Both are rewarding, depending on how you package yourself. Like I said, a movie has no language. Yoruba and English movies are both rewarding, it all depends on your presentation. If you invite me, I see both as equal and I charge for it. It is a moving picture that is what I charge for. So, it depends on you, it has nothing with one language or the other. As for me, they are both equal, and I charge depending on what I want to do.

5 things you don’t know about Saidi Balogun
He is from the theatre family
He was born in Enugu and grew up in the North
Hails from Ibadan and mother from Kwara state
He speaks Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa fluently
He is the first actor in Africa to produce a one-cast movie