I never finished secondary school, but I’m one of the highest paid Yoruba actors –Ibrahim Chatta

By Damilola Fatunmise

Abiodun Ibrahim Chatta, a leading figure in the promotion of indigenous content, is defying the odds. Despite not completing secondary school, the multi-talented actor, singer, producer, and director has risen to become one of Nigeria’s highest-paid Yoruba actors. In this interview with The Entertainer, Chatta discusses the creation of Africhatta Film Village and the impact of YouTube on the filmmaking industry.

You built a film village or let’s say resort in Oyo State, why did you embark on such a project?

It’s been something I wanted to do since I was a child. I think in 1987/89 when I was in Ososa in Ogun State, where Baba Ogunde’s Film Village is located, I told myself that one day I would like to have mine, where filmmakers can come to make their films. A radio and television presenter told me he was there when I made the statement. It’s been a dream that I had been nursing and when I was approaching 50 years of age. I wanted to retire from the industry, but I could not go away from acting completely. I was thinking of what to do. I wanted to start farming, but I decided to start a film business. I decided to start a school to teach people acting, so that I can be my own boss. I started buying movie equipment. I bought a lot of cameras. I told myself that it’s better to do this gradually. I’ve been on this for almost four years now.

Now that it’s ready, what do you hope to use it to create in the movie industry?

There are a couple of film makers that go over to make their films there. The first person was Lateef Adedimeji. He shot his most recent film there. Aisha Lawal too came and then there was somebody from the English part of the industry. Prior to the time I came to this set, I was there filming my own personal project. The Africhatta Film Village and Resort is open for public use as we speak. I am sure when you have a chance to visit; you will understand the dream better.

Yoruba folktales are now celebrated storyline ideas in recent movie projects; how does this make you feel as a filmmaker?

I feel proud. I tell my colleagues that we can only be rich when we tell our stories. If we don’t tell our stories, who will help us tell them? We don’t have a choice, so it’s a good thing; it’s what we need to do to be seen. These modern day stories that we copy, we cannot beat them. The only way we can be as good as Hollywood is when we tell our own stories because it makes us more original and it is a money-making venture. People are beginning to like their culture. Every story will do well if it is properly shot.

You are one of those that have pushed for indigenous storylines, especially in the Yoruba speaking genre, how do you feel about streaming platforms sponsoring indigenous films?

They are doing well. You know I am an advocate of telling our stories, the original African stories. Almost 30 years ago, I would tell a lot of my friends, even when we didn’t know where the next meal would come from, that one day we would be at same rating with Hollywood. Though we are not there yet, even Hollywood is interested in Nollywood. Today, you see our producers inviting foreigners to be their cinematographers, and to act in their movies. You can’t argue that we are doing well now. A lot of new generation filmmakers are coming out of schools, people that went to film schools such as New York Film Academy and others. They are young, intelligent, and vibrant filmmakers and they are changing the narratives. They can bring the things that we failed to add in our journey. The first film that was ever made in Nigeria was by a Nigerian and the second one was also by another Nigerian. When we started seeing Hubert Ogunde films, a lot of things happened, it was expensive to make movies, even back then.  The art of filmmaking is capital intensive and time consuming. You need to know how to technically put it together. It’s a good thing that investors are now coming because they now see that entertainment cannot die. We, the practitioners, will die, but entertainment will stay. Entertainment is as old as the world itself.

Do you think everyone is being carried along or there are only a few people that are enjoying that?

It didn’t happen overnight. There was a time Charly Boy was fighting people over piracy. The narrative has changed now. You need to choose, where you want to be if you would be on the good side or on the other side.

Many people believe that YouTube has become a dumping ground for Nollywood movies, how do you think this is affecting the industry?

For me, it doesn’t affect anything. A film is supposed to be seen by people and it should not be kept under the pillow. There are good films and there are bad films. If you do a good film and put it on YouTube, what is wrong with that, it’s a good film, and it’s your money. Don’t let me deceive you, it’s only God that can save us. Sometimes you see some good Nollywood films on YouTube and you expect them to be in the cinema. I’m making some films that I intend to put on my channel, they were shot with the best of cameras and I just want them on YouTube because that platform is paying off for a lot of filmmakers.

Do you have plans to shoot cinema standard movies?

I did one last year and now it’s on a streaming platform. I’m trying to work on one. Initially, I was creating Africhatta space for myself and since we have opened and functioning, I am currently shooting a cinema standard movie that employs the use of good equipment and fantastic actors. I would be taking the project to the cinema. Going to the cinema isn’t the problem, but those who do, are they getting their returns? I am not in a rush for cinema projects at all.   

You are a man of many talents, what has been your driving force?

My sustenance is God, and my inspiration is also God because I am nothing without Him. One of my driving forces is the urge to be great and be impactful in whatever I set out to do. I am a lover of my craft that is why I can easily play any role.

As a thespian, what sets you apart from others?

My craft defines me, that is why I cannot allow myself to be put in a box. I am a flexible actor. I started acting at a very tender age. I’ve been an artist professionally since I was 15 years old. I knew at a very tender age that I was going to be an artist, so I started working towards it. I wanted to be the best that I could. I don’t like being stereotyped. I like to go all out. For the love of art, I read a lot. I didn’t go to school. I didn’t have an opportunity to even finish secondary school.

What other length have you gone for the love you have for your profession?

To be a good actor, you must know a bit of everything. I’m a Muslim, I’m a strong believer of the Islamic faith, but I have a lot of Christian friends and I know a lot about their religion. That’s the only way I can relate with them. I read the Bible and I can relate with my Christian friends. I know the things that the Bible doesn’t want. Art makes me study everything. My inspiration and sustenance is God. My journey wasn’t rosy, it’s been so rough. I am one of those people that people always want to use. My fans love me so much. I am one of the highest paid Yoruba speaking actors in Nigeria. Maybe because I’m not a social media person, many people don’t know much about me. I’m always in my shell. I love the people around me, and it’s always fun when I am in the village. We eat, drum and do other things. However, I don’t like to put too much of myself out there.

A lot of people believe that despite your good crafts, you are not celebrated enough?

Yes, a lot of people say so, celebration or not, I am always a happy person. Though there are top events and awards that I don’t even get an invitation for, not to talk of getting nominated; I am not bothered. My reward will come at the appropriate time. I pray I’m hale and hearty to celebrate, when that time comes. Oscar and other international awards are my focus.

Despite not being celebrated, I get called for jobs every day, but I reject many of them because I want to retire and focus on other things that are still related to art. I want to assure my fans that I am doing very well and I appreciate their love and concern always.