Veteran actress, Fathia Balogun needs no introduction. She is known for her great skill in acting when it comes to interpretation of script. In a chat with Saharaweekly, she explains why people think she is proud and also said lot about her career.

Excerpts below

Q – What project are you presently working on?

R – Well, I’m showing my new movie now ‘Iya “Alalake’ and I just finished another one called ‘Jijuwole’. It’s a traditional movie.

Q – The ‘Iya Alalake’ movie is the one you won the award for and that was probably the first time you were shooting a comedy movie, tell us how the experience was?

R – It was challenging. I wanted to do something different from comedy but I don’t think I can make anybody laugh so I called my colleagues; Muyiwa Ademola,  Femi Adebayo, etc. and thank God it was directed by Muyiwa Ademola and it came out well.

Q – Were you expecting the movie to win an award?

R – No, I wasn’t expecting any award, I wasn’t ready for the media so I was like I can’t get the award so I just went there like a guest and thank God I got it.

Q – We heard people saying Fathia Balogun is proud…(cuts in)

R – Well, everybody has their own perception about me, you might see me in a different mode tomorrow, you can see me another time in a very good mood. We are human. Everybody thinks you should be perfect, it is not easy. I can see you tomorrow and not say Hello. I might come in here and say hello to everyone, I’m not a snub. I am a very friendly person when I’m in the right mood.

Q – You started with English movies. Is there any chance of you going back to English movies? also,   people were angry that you disclaimed Yorubas

R – I don’t know o! they got it all wrong. Maybe due to the joy and everything, I didn’t finish my statement. I said ‘ I’m not Yoruba but I’m proud to do Yoruba movies’ so why would I disclaim Yoruba, I can’t.

Q – What is the secret of your good looks?

R – It is natural. For my skin, my father is very light skinned. There is no special cream I use. I do my exercise normally so there is nothing special.

Q – You mentioned sometime ago that you are going to shoot some movies in your state, can you tell us more about that?

R – Very soon, I’m going to shoot one in warri, it’s going to be in pidgin English.

Q – Who are those you are planning to feature on it?

R – Well, I want to do something different sincerely. I’ve been into Yoruba several times and some people have that perception that we yoruba’s can’t do something different so I wanna tell people that we can and we have a lot of people that can do it/

Q – Apart from movie, what else do you do? Are you into any other business? Do you have a shop?

R – ehhh! It’s shop that is reigning now o! (laughs) you know film isn’t going on well for now due to piracy and we are begging the government to just try and help us because it’s something else. I just opened a shop, It’s going to be a year in the next few months though not in Lagos, I went as far as Abeokuta. (cuts in)

Q – So why did you go  all the way to Abeokuta?

R – I like business so since film isn’t going on too well, I decided to do what I do best which is taking care of skin so I jumped into it.

Q – You are always on movie location, How do you have time to rest take care of children and family?

R – God is helping me out. I can schedule myself. I can tell myself that I’m not working for a month and I’ll do that so I know how to schedule myself.

Q – Can you tell us about the charity foundation?

R – I t is just basically about giving out to the society. We are six in numbers; Myself, Muyiwa Ademola, Femi Adelayo, King Wasiu, Ayinde Marshall….

Q – How come don’t kiss in movies?

R – They don’t give me script for kissing. They don’t just give me, I don’t know why. But if am given, so far the story makes sense, I will.

Q – What is your relationship with other female actress like Dayo Amusa, Iyabo Ojo, etc?

R – They are all my sisters. We are colleagues. We are all friends and families.

Q – Describe yourself in three words

R – Fathia Balogun is industrious, reserved, and understanding.