Uzor Arukwe: Having depth as an actor helps me stay outstanding

Uzor Arukwe is a Nollywood actor and model. The Abia State-born entertainer is a graduate of Economics from the Abia State University. He also holds a masters degree in Business Administration from the University of Calabar. He has so far featured in over 100 movies and on Netflix including, The one for Sarah, The Set Up, Tanwa Savage, Sugar Rush, The Blood Covenant, Hire A Woman and Prophetess. In this interview with IJEOMA THOMAS-ODIA, Arukwe shares his passion for acting as well as his evolution in the industry.

You are one of the featured actors on Netflix, what would you say stands you out?
I would say the love for the job. I’m actually so much in love with the craft. I try to stay versatile. I don’t want to be an actor who just does only drama – I want to be an actor who does drama, comedy and everything. I feel like me being able to have range and depth as an actor, and versatility helps me to stay outstanding.

How have you constantly ensured to be the favourite on the screens?
I don’t know. I feel like that it is Grace. It is not like I set out to do a film and then and I’m looking to be the favourite. Sometimes, people don’t like the character that I play. So, it is not like I set out to be favourite on screens, I just do my job and I love my job. I hope that the love that I have for the craft will be able to bless people and get people to want to see me perform.
Social media is a key part of evolution, which you utilise efficiently. How much impact will you say it has had on your career?

I think it has had a lot of impact. Social media is tough for me. It is a lot of work. It is an effective tool in my line of work. If you know how to navigate social media properly, you will be in the faces of people. The producers and directors who you want to hire you would definitely hire you. Fortunately for me, I am working with a group of people who are very smart and intelligent people. My management team is the one handling my social media. The team makes me look good, and I just take the plaques and all the accolades.

What movie/ project is Uzor currently working on?
Right now, I just finished a Tribe Called Judah – a Funke Akindele Production. I’m going to start another production that I don’t want to talk about yet, but I am filming a series in Ibadan – it is for Africa Magic, Showmax and Multichoice. I just keep grinding. But, A Tribe Called Judah is my most recent work that was just concluded and it will be out soon.

How receptive is the industry to beginners and what it your take on skitmakers who are gradually titling towards the industry?
Art is art. It’s an industry that welcomes everybody, because everybody can be creative. Everybody has some level of creativity in them. It welcomed me, because there were people before me, and there will be people after me. That’s how life is. No industry is pleasant for beginners.

You don’t get your flowers when you start off, but if you’re consistent and you stay, definitely you will begin to get your accolades.
Skit makers are actors in my opinion. That’s what they do while they are performing and doing their skits. They might not be as trained and as dexterous as actors, but they are actors, and if people who are not really into entertainment can go to the Big Brother House and come out and become actors, then why not? It’s an industry that welcomes everybody. It has fed a lot of people, so I’m all for it.

What is your style, what does fashion mean to you?
I’m a simple person and I like comfort. Ill never be into tight things. I wore it at first when it came out because that was what was in vogue, but now, that baggy things are coming back. Im very happy because I like comfortable clothing.

What career path would you have taken on if not acting?
Maybe, the Military. I like the Military a lot. Maybe because I went to a Military Secondary School. I like to teach. Maybe I would have been a teacher in a Military College or a lecturer in a film school. I like to teach, I like to impact people, and pass knowledge.