Why I like casting first-timers – Falalu Dorayi

Daily Trust: You are arguably one of Kannywood’s biggest directors. When and how did directing begin for you? Falalu Dorayi: Well, I can’t really say I am the best but I’m sure I am rated amongst the top 5 directors the industry can boast of. My engagement with the industry actually started from script writing, […]

Daily Trust: You are arguably one of Kannywood’s biggest directors. When and how did directing begin for you?

Falalu Dorayi: Well, I can’t really say I am the best but I’m sure I am rated amongst the top 5 directors the industry can boast of. My engagement with the industry actually started from script writing, to production manager and finally directing, and that dates back to about 15 years or so, when a director gave me the chance to direct his movie.

DT: Tell us about some of your recent works

Dorayi: I have a lot of work currently. Some have been released and some are yet to be, but it’s important to note that I am proud of all my works, notwithstanding my role in the movies. I rate my work based on the feedback I receive from my audience and that has really been helpful to me so far. My major movies that are about hitting the market ‘Ciki da Raino’ and ‘Auren Manga’ are comedies. People have watched the trailers and they are eager to watch them based on requests for their time of release.

There are, of course, some that are not comedies and they include ‘Ba Kama’ ‘Makauniyar kasuwa’ and ‘Saudat’. They addressed social issues such as high rate of armed robbery in our society; one was about fraud. I am indeed proud of all of them.

DT: Piracy is a major issue affecting the Nigerian film Industry. What do you think should be done to address it?

Dorayi: Piracy in connection to any industry hinders its progress. In our case, we feel that the government has an obligation in protecting our work from piracy. This is an industry that provides jobs for about 40,000 or more people, and few people are trying to bring it down for selfish reasons through pirating our work. I think it’s not fair. We pay multiple taxes to all levels of government and we feel we should be protected somehow in return.

The previous government did a lot for us in terms of empowerment through training our members as well as providing financial assistance to many, yet nothing was done to curb it. We are thus appealing to the government to provide mobile courts to take up piracy cases, which are presently handled by the High courts and face a lot of delays. Most times, complainants get frustrated at the delays and drop the cases. 

There are three sets of pirates, who keep running down the industry. There is someone waiting for a new movie to be released and he uploads it free of charge on the internet for people to watch. Another one reproduces the movie and sells as cheap as N50. There is also that person who projects the film for a token or rents to viewers in his locality without permission of the producer. All of them are bringing the industry down and we have been in a showdown with some of these people we have met; yet the situation is worsening. That is the big reason why authorities should come to our aid.

DT: Considering the fast pace of technology, what do you do to ensure you are up-to-date with the latest trends in film directing?

Dorayi: Technology is a global thing and that has touched every sector of our industry. I am sure our audience can testify that our movies have advanced technically and the quality has improved.

We actually strive to move with technology because we don’t want to be left out of business, so we have seriously engaged in developmental issues associated with our roles in the industry.

DT: What are some of the challenges you have faced as a director and how have you coped with them?

Dorayi: Every profession has its challenges yet determination keeps one going. As a director, I don’t let any challenge make me lose focus. I ponder over it gently and find a way out. I think I am equipped with enough skills to handle challenges related to my field.

DT: Besides directing and acting, what else do you do?

Dorayi: I am also a scriptwriter, a producer and a marketer/distributor of movies and I have been doing this since I joined the industry.

DT: You have worked with big names in the industry. What is your relationship with them like?

Dorayi: Yes, I have worked with almost all the stars in the industry, and I have a cordial relationship with them. Personally, I respect people and I expect same from them. I am sure all those who have worked with me know that I like discipline and I don’t quarrel with anyone.

DT: Which actors/actresses do you look forward to working with, either in Nollywood or Kannywood?

Dorayi: I like working with all stars and I always want to take credit for casting first timers but I am very selective because of the nature of my storylines. That is for Kannywood and I will love to work with two male actors in Nollywood. They are Nkem Owoh (Osuofia) and Mr Ibu, and two female artistes Genevieve Nnaji and Rita Dominic. I also wish to work with Majid Michael.

DT:  Do you have plans to branch into Nollywood? If so, what are they?

Dorayi: We are already working with Nollywood. I have worked directly with stars in Nollywood and I have directed an English movie by Kannywood stars. We are currently working with the former President of Nigerian Guild of Directors Mr Ben Meruah, and we are working on a movie titled ‘Dan Birni’ sponsored by UNICEF. He is producing the film while I am directing it. We are also doing some groundwork, which I will not speak about now.

DT: What should fans expect from you as the year winds up?

Dorayi: The year is almost ending, yet I assure my audience that some of my works like ‘Ba kama’, ‘Makauniyar kasuwa’, ‘Saudat’, ‘Kurman Dare’ and a television series ‘Gishirin rayuwa’ will soon hit the screens. I am proud of all the movies and I am sure they will be impressed.

DT: How would you compare the industry many years ago and now?

Dorayi: The industry has really undergone developments in terms of storylines, quality of the movies and even the acting skills, yet it has lost a lot in terms of marketing. That can be attributed to the economic situation in the country though.

DT: What would you tell youngsters who wish to be self-reliant?

Dorayi: I urge our youths to be empowered and avoid waiting to be employed. The industry is a place of utilization of skills so it has really been supportive to thousands of youths. I call on them to avoid being exploited especially by the politicians who use and dump them.

DT:  What are you involved in at the moment?

Dorayi: I am in a post-production to complete my movie ‘Makauniyar kasuwa’. During my free time, I also review the script of the series I am about to begin ‘Gishirin rayuwa’, which I hope will be set in the next two months. Meanwhile, I am preparing to release ‘Auren Manga’.