By IFECHI OHOH

From childhood, an India stationed movie packager, Ola-Jason Ojora, have been dreaming of joining Bollywood movie makers. He not only dreamt, but also made moves years after to actualized his dream. Expectedly, it was not easy. However, by divine assistance, one thing led easily to another in realization of his age-long desire. Today, Ojora who is currently in Nigeria, to further his plans in shooting a big budget movie, talked to our Contributing Editor IFECH OKOH about his journey and exploits in Bollywood. Happy reading.

Can we have a quick peep at your background?

My full name is Olamilekan Akanbi Ojora (a.k.a Ola-Jason). I am from an Islamic background. However, my ideological tendency tilts more towards the Christian faith. My romance with Christianity started from the moment I began to grow up. From that moment, I started to understand how the Christian faith works, thereby embracing it based on my conviction. I want to state categorically here that the Mohammed you see in my document does not tamper or change my strong Christian faith and belief. But this did not make me to dump Islam completely. That is why I still allow Mohammed to reflect in my documents till date. To me, being a Muslim or Christian does not matter. What matters most is what comes out of such belief. I mean the positive display of one’s belief. Does it make any sense if you bear Christian as Catholic or Pentecostal name and you are neck-deep secretly into serious social vices? Does this not make serious mockery of such name? Hence, I insist that it is not the faith and name that matters, but imbibing real Christian beliefs and values which should be obvious in one’s disposition at all times. Some people bear holy names, yet what comes out from them either by words of mouth or disposition, is unthinkable. I mean what they do is usually opposite their fine religious, Christian names. For example, seeing someone who bears Christian name conducting himself in a manner worse than that of Satan. That is why the emphasis should be on disposition and not fine Christian name or names.

When did the movie packaging bug bite you and what did you do to start on?

It actually did at the tender age of 10 years. That was during my primary school days when I started to save the meager amount given to me for food. Rather than utilize it as excepted, I stashed it away for watching of India films which was in vogue then. In fact, my dream of becoming a movie maker, was boosted by my sheer industry as a child. Then, I used to sell iced minerals for my grandmother in Lagos. I usually sell off everything. This made my old woman to be pretty happy with me, dashing me good money for being a good boy. What I did with such resources was nobody’s business, which really paved way for me to save as much as I could then. That was how the dream of becoming a movie maker stationed in India, the home of bollyhood, started.

How did you finally relocate to India?

I must confess that my relocation journey to India started in such a funny way. It began with the Indian Embassy granting me initially, a business visa. The only disturbing and saddening thing about the visa was that I cannot use it for my admission as planned. As a result, I wasted precious time inevitably, waiting for the right time to come, so that I can make another move which would see me through as per admission. Interestingly, the golden chance rolled out and I was lucky as expected as my student visa sailed through.

What were the challenges you encountered in actualizing your dream?

The initial challenge I had there was that of language barrier. This clause actually caused me a lot of pains. Could you believe that it degenerated into a serious one when I was taken for a criminal suspect? The matter eventually dragged me before a judge whom God, along the line, used him in favouring me one way or the other. It was during this trial that my current wife, a Russian, came my way. During my trials, she was pretty supportive morally and financially. She actually helped me in no small measure in surviving in India under a very cruel atmosphere.

What were your achievements despite these challenges

Amidst these challenges, I was able to learn how to use India tone to act. This gave me so many jobs. I was very lucky to feature with legends like Amitab Bachan, Dramedra and others. Working with these legendry Bollywood actors really made me fulfilled as an actor. I also had the golden chance during these times to start a casting company which gave me the leeway to be in touch with those that matter in Bollywood.

Can we know the differences professionally between Nollywood and Bollywood?

There are huge differences. I mean starting from post- production level to main production. That is taking into consideration, factors like accuracy, time management, artist management and big budgeting for productions in Bollywood. It is not like our Nollywood where movie makers are constrained to be miserly with these necessary factors. In Bollywood, their passion for professionalization stands them afar from Nollywood. For instance, they don’t mind using good money to shoot movies. Aside, they spend time over their productions. It’s unlike Nollywood which may use one month to shoot movies. Bollywood is all about selflessness and professionalism. They take pains in doing everything, aimed at achieving perfection in movie productions.

Now, you are in Nigeria, what do you hope to achieve?

I am in Nigeria to prepare ground for an epic movie. The project is a big budget one which may cause me to go out of the way to achieve a Bollywood standard. My ultimate is to bring Bollywood to Nigeria at all cost. I know it is not easy. However, I am convinced that what is worth doing at all, is worth doing well. I can’t be in India, home of Bollywood and nothing to show and stamp professionalism that I was there, learning all the tricks.

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