Multiple award-winning actress, script writer, movie producer and C.E.O, Mag Divas Boutique, Mercy Aigbe, in this chat with Entertainer opens up on movies, business and how piracy is short changing the motion picture industry.

Excerpts:

How has this year been for you entertainment wise?

I will say it has been good and I give God all the glory though, it has not been smooth all through. I must confess that I have encountered one or two ups and downs but God has been faithful.

What project are you working on presently?

Presently, I am working on bringing my movie to the cinemas. It is entitled Victims. It was directed by Lancelot Imasuen. It features stars actors like Olu Jacobs, Fathia Balogun, Seun Akindele, Ju liet Ibrahim, Saheed Balogun, and Funsho Adeolu.

Why the choice of Lancelot for directing?

I had an opportunity of working on a project with Lancelot and I spoke with him. I asked him if he would like to do a Yoruba movie and he accepted. Victims is an ultra modern Yoruba film; it is a double scripted movie and the outcome is wow! You know, Juliet has never featured in a Yoruba movie but the way the script was written, she didn’t have to speak too much Yoruba and besides, she is a fast learner. It was a good experience for her and for Lancelot who is only used to directing 100 per cent English movies; it was also an opportunity for him to showcase his competence. experience for her and for Lancelot

When should we expect the Part 2 of Osas Omoge Benin?

Why is everybody asking about it now. I read comments on my Instagram and twitter accounts and they are all asking for the same thing. Anyway, everybody should just keep their fingers crossed even though it is taking like forever. What I do know for certain is that at the end of the day, my fans should expect the best from me. I actually don’t want to mention a specific date yet. What my fans should expect from me for now is Victims; it is going to be premiered in the U.K and the U.S and it will also be going to the cinemas.

It is the era of comedy series and we already have Funke Akindele’s Jenifa’s Diary, should your fans expect Osas too?

I think my fans should expect the part 2 first and then from there, we will know what is next.

What inspired your new fashion shop, Mag Divas?

I will say my love for fashion actually inspired it because I am a lady who loves to look good all the time. I love being complimented for my looks and all that. So, let me say my passion for fashion is what actually inspired me.

How do you joggle being a wife, parenting, movie making and business?

Hmmm… I will say it is by the grace of God.

Do you do revealing outfits?

To an extent I do. I can do the ones that reveal my cleavages in a classy way. However, I can’t reveal sensitive parts of my body .

As a mother, will you encourage your daughter to venture into movie making?

It is actually left to her and I will definitely encourage her to pursue her dreams. But from the look of things, I am not sure she will embrace the movie industry because she is on the reserved side.

What is the secret behind your looks?

I take good care of myself and I eat right. I take more of vegetables and fruits. I don’t eat late and I drink water a lot. I also visit a spa once in two weeks.

Most actresses are now venturing into business, what is your take on that?

It is because piracy won’t allow us eat and that is the truth. They are causing us so much pain, reaping where they have not sown. That is why people like us have established other sources of income.

What do you think can be done to stop piracy?

I think government needs to come to our rescue because I believe that if there are strong laws backing up the fight against piracy and if the laws are being enforced, piracy will be greatly reduced. As it is now we are at their mercy.

Can piracy stop you from doing movies?

It won’t but it is actually killing creativity. For instance, if you have a script that you actually want to spend as much as five to N10 million on, you probably won’t because you will be afraid of investing such a huge amount when pirates won’t let you gain from your sweat. So piracy affects the quality of production. I think you need to talk to Kunle Afolayan about it and you will understand me better. What is the rationale for an investor who is not sure of making profit on his own investment for going into business? Piracy is actually killing good production.

*Culled from Sunday Sun. Photo shows Aigbe

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