Top movie maker, Ikenna Irikannu, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Best Movies Production Limited, is one of the hardest working producers who have pushed the name of Nollywood to the world scene. Hails from Ihiala, Anambra state, he is a graduate of Computer Science from Nnamdi Azikwe University (UNIZIK), Awka.  In this interview with Julia Blaise Blog (JBB), Ikenna who just got married recently disclosed why he keeps low profile, the secret of his success in Nollywood and how he achieved the makeup of the movie entitled, Two Sisters. Enjoy It!


What is your movie Nurses Cult, Return of Club all about?
It’s a story I wrote with passion and on a mission to pass a message. Nollywood has grown bigger and in other to show that, I expand my writing outside what people normally watch in home videos as if the stories are stereotyped but in this case, I have to enter into the medical sector to expose some underground activities that is going on there. Nurses Cult to Nurses Club exposes and educates everyone in that sector. Nurses Club and Return of Nurses Club are sequel to Nurses Cult. Nurses Cult and Nurses Club has been released, but the continuation "Return of Nurses Club" will be released next week.

What challenges did you face while producing the movies?
The characters in the movie are mostly women and women are always very difficult to control on a movie set. Any movie that has girls mostly is always slow and that is a great challenge, because you have to think of how to motivate each artiste to be fast with make-up and other things.

Do you write your scripts yourself, or you hire someone to do it?
Yes, all my movies so far, I wrote them. I wrote all my movies myself so as to get d depth of d message I actually want to pass across to people.

Why did you choose to be behind the camera?
I choose to be behind d camera because I know that is where I belong, also because of my religious background, there are some thing I shouldn't do as an actor if I am to act although I do act few scenes in some of my movies, I select d roles I play even if they are small, two, three scenes is alright for me.

How do you wither the storm of piracy?
Piracy is on its own, it’s like a cancer to d body to us and just as we can treat cancer and have some remains, we are doing our best to eradicate them and there have been positive results. We only beg the government to assist in that regard.

So how do you make up your capital and make profit amidst this piracy?
The capital is what I already have and run the business with and what I try to do is to train it to advance from millions to billions. Pirates are on their own and as far as I am concern they eat only peanuts, I make the main money because I suffer for it until soon that pirates will be no more. Pirates eat peanut from their thievery.

So will you say that movie making business pays?
Although it’s not as easy as onlookers and fans see it, but it pays and when it does, no drug dealer can compete with u financially.

How long have you been producing?
I have been making movies for more than 10years.

So why did you keep low profile all the while, as in you have not been that popular?
I see my job as something I am dedicated to doing, I don’t believe that publicity or being in every event and party will contribute anything so much to career. I am a private person and I believe in job, so that is why it seems I am not popular among the media. I will say that in the industry, people know me very well and my jobs speak for me.

How come all your films are channeled towards Cult or Club?
(Laughs) I have done many films before Nurses Cult and Nurses Club, and I have done many films after Nurses Cult and Club and Return of Nurses Club, but many of my fans and majority of Nigerian so much love Nurses Cult series because the story is different from everyday story and normal stories people sees in Nollywood. It contains everyday happening especially in the medical sector. At least, I shot Two Sisters, Brave Heart, Secret Sex, Touching Body, My Mother's Blood, and others after Nurses cult and club

Do you wish to act any day?
No. I am professionally a producer. Apart from d normal one or two scene I do in some of my movies just to show face. I don't want act to be a star. I was meant to be behind d camera.

Does your religion forbid acting?
No it doesn’t. It only advises carefulness.

So what frightens you about acting?
Acting that promotes secret cults. I am afraid of movie roles that promote one other god apart from Jehovah God in heaven.

Now that you are married, how do u intend to balance your work and home, especially when you are on location outside Lagos?
My wife understands, she knows the nature of my business before she agrees to marry me so that one won't be a problem at all. I will always be a good husband and have the most happiest home just as it is now.

How did you people achieve the make-up of the movie, Two Sisters?
I planned the concept of the makeup, because I wrote the movie, Two Sisters, I also gave the contract to one of the best makeup artist you can talk about and I paid him unconditionally.

Any awards yet?
I have been invited in so many of them, because of my busy schedule, I have not been able to attend any and that is why I don’t want to mention names.

So such things do not feature in your movies?
No. It does not feature in my movies.

Any word for your fans?
Thank you all for watching my movies. Your wonderful comments, text messages and calls have kept me going. I will continue to make you guys proud and most especially I thank God for the talent, His blessings and protection all along.