‘When a good script come your way, you accept it before thinking of its monetary reward’

With over two decades in Nollywood, Rachael Oniga, an ace Nigerian actress, has recorded some remarkable feats with appearance in over 100 movies. In this interview, the leading cast member of The Royal Hibiscus Hotel, a new romantic/comedy movie, tells Obinna Emelike more about the movie, her role and what movie producers look out for in choosing casts for roles.

What is spectacular about the new movie that making waves now?

The Royal Hibiscus is a must watch movie I can say. In the movie, I played the character of Rose, a hilarious wife of Segun Adeniyi, the CEO of the hotel. I have been in the film industry for a long time now and when a good script come your way, you accept it before thinking of its monetary reward. This is what I actually did. Royal Hibiscus is one hilarious movie that has a lot of things to teach our society more about our culture even back to the colonial era. You can see the oldies. You can see the character of Rose still holding on  to the colonial era. She tries to imitate the Queen of England. It is a hilarious experience. With the props, locations, and world class, a lot went into the production of the movie.

As an actor, I am privileged to be part of the movie because it gave me a platform to play unusual roles.

What makes your roles unusual in The Royal Hibiscus Hotel movie?

Those who associate me with serious roles or conservative character saw a different me; a more hilarious and adventurous me.

Oh, it is such an interesting one. I played the character of Rose. She is such a hilarious woman to the audience, but for Rose, she is doing something very serious. If you come to think of the African setting, talking about the typical Nigerian mother, they are always protective of their daughters, and you can see that in Rose but with lots of fun. She wants the best for her daughter.

Like an African mother, when a daughter gets to a certain stage and suitors are not coming to seek her hand in marriage, you start thinking if something is wrong with her. You discover that Rose is so pushing, but when you look at the other side of it, you would discover she is pushing because she wanted the best for her family. She wants her daughter to marry and stay back home. But if she must go back to London, she must have a husband.

Rose is too proud of The Royal Hibiscus Hotel and she wants her daughter, Open Oluwa to inherent it. Luckily enough, her daughter is a chef in a very good hotel in the UK and they want her to bring her experience back to Nigeria, especially in running the Royal Hibiscus Hotel, which is her inheritance as the only child.

What do you think made the producers to choose you for the role?

My ability to interpret the role perfectly. You see, it all started from the first day when I was asked to come and do a video test; when the selection was going on. Although some other actresses had come to do same. I think the role was not properly interpreted by those actresses but that is not to say they are not good enough. It all depends on what the producer is looking for.

But sometimes it depends on how we interpret roles. I came and they gave me the script. I must say, I was actually going for a party, when I was called to play the role of Rose. After screening,  I passed and was contracted to play the role of Rose and I interpreted it well. As an actress, I believe you must always be ready to interpreted any role you are given to play. At first, I was interpreting the role script by script and it went well. For me, an actor don’t have to read all the script before understanding and playing them.

How do you rate the cast and crew of the movie?

Before you land with that question, I knew where you are going. The cast and crew are awesome. Everybody that played a role in Royal Hibiscus was so wonderful – characters, crews and executive producer, Mo Abudu. Oh my goodness, Mo Abudu has the interest and the encouragement she give to you matters a lot. She has the interest of the actor at heart and ensures an actor delivers. With Mo Abudu’s inspiration, you as an actor won’t want to disappoint your audience.

Beyond the entertainment, is there something to draw from the movie?

It is going to reach people from Rose’s point of view that you should not push your children too far. It is good to dream. Rose is a dreamer. She has the hope of meeting the Queen of England. And with the kind of character she is, she will definitely take you there.