Why I shifted to comedy – Francis Duru

Francis Duru: I am into capacity building that in terms of training actors and actresses. I am also projecting Nollywood in different spheres and different countries. I was in the Gambia and just came back from Ghana. I will be in the Gambia next month for a production that will lead to a roadmap in […]

Francis Duru: I am into capacity building that in terms of training actors and actresses. I am also projecting Nollywood in different spheres and different countries. I was in the Gambia and just came back from Ghana. I will be in the Gambia next month for a production that will lead to a roadmap in the expansion of the industry in the Gambia.

So I’m still in the acting business and I don’t intend to resign or retire. It is only when an actor passes on that he resigns. I have so many movies in the shelf and others will still come up. But beyond that, Francis Duru is not only an actor, I do MCs and also comedy as well as capacity building.

Also, I am the interim Chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria in Abuja Chapter. I want to use this medium to tell the public of the legality of our National Chairman, Ejike Aziebgue as the custodian of that mandate.

Wm: What inspires you?

Francis Duru: Acting is life to me. It is like the air I breathe. I find value in life in acting. And through that, I believe I have so much to offer my society and community.  I will not belittle any assignment I’m given because it is an opportunity to give out my best.  In any opportunity, I give out my best.       

Wm: But what did you study in school?

Francis Duru: I studied Theatre Arts at the University of Port Harcourt.

Wm: Who inspire you in the industry?

Francis Duru: My first link to the theatre world was through Theophilius  Nnemchi, Paul Eworika and Innocent Igidi. In University of Port Harcourt, I had Dr Emmanuel Ogar Ejiofor and a host of others.

Wm: What are your highpoints in the industry so far?

Francis Duru: My greatest moments have been when I was given bigger roles to play in movies. This brought forth and reflected my skills and endowments. Like my roles in Rattle snake, and presently my roles in Total war and Final war has been a catalyst of what brought out what is buried in me as an artiste.  

Wm: You always act these humble and quiet person in most of your movies, are you a humble person?

Francis Duru: I am a humble person and my philosophy in life is to keep it simple and humble.

WM: How do you see yourself and the Nollywood in the next five years?

Francis Duru: I hope to be one of the best producers who have ever existed. Doing bigger and better productions that will showcase and take Nigerian movie industry beyond shores of Nigeria. My desire is to bring out the beauty in our diversity. And also to expose our culture, uniqueness and our greatness.

WM: Are you married?

Francis Duru: I am married to a beautiful woman and the best woman in the world and we have three beautiful kids.

WM: Will you have your children go into acting?

Francis Duru: I will guide them into what they want to be. I want them to exceed me. They should be greater than me their father.

 WM: What do you have to say about the Nigerian movie industry?

Francis Duru: We are not yet where we should be but we are not where we use to be. If you look at where we use to be and where we are now there is a tremendous difference. Nollywood is a phenomenon, it can never go down but it can only get better and better.

WM: What next role are you playing?

Francis Duru: I have to be in the Gambia, America, Trinidad and Tobago and also be in Abuja for one production or the other.

WM: How are you going to combine this at the same time since you are one person?

Francis Duru: For every task, it comes with the grace which propels me to do all that I do.

WM: Did you get the support of your parents when you started acting?

Francis Duru: Yes. They are right behind me and their prayers have helped me.  This has been one of the catalysts that propel me forward.

WM: What else do you have to say?

Francis Duru: Lets us believe in Nigeria because there is so much in Nigeria. It may seem like we are crawling, but we are a force to reckon with.

 WM: So are you fulfilled as an actor?

Francis Duru: As long as life is  in course, I can’t say I am fulfilled. I have a whole lot to accomplish ahead of me.

WM: Financially, have you gotten the rewards from acting?

Francis Duru: Surely there is no amount of money you get that you are okay. But I most say I am content and happy.  I believe that God has so much in store for me.

WM: But if you are content with what you get from acting why do have to  go into other endeavors like comedies and the likes?

Francis Duru: God has endowed me with so much. Because he said I am beautifully and wonderfully made so I have to step into those areas. God has called me into great things so I have to expose my mind to them.

WM: What do you have to tell your fans?

Francis Duru: I want to thank my fans and tell them that God is the only access to their assets.

WM: You are sounding like a pastor would you become one in future?

Francis Duru : If the call comes from God, I will heed the call. If that is what he wants me to do, I will only say ‘let thy will be done’. So my fans should expect any thing from me.