Here on Nollywooduncut, we're always on the look out for bright, young stars!  Those people that light up many lives and add abit of spark in this sometimes mundane world...letting us see things, larger than life! Not too long ago, we presented you with the new 'Kid on the Block'.... Okay, he's a kid at heart anyway! Lol.. Im talking about the foine, dashing Nigerian-British actor, Anthony Monjaro!

Bola Aduwo of Nollywooduncut had the opportunity to catch up with him recently in Lagos and had quite an interesting chat! Listen up!

BA: You were born and raised in London (apart from a brief stint in Sch in Nigeria) Why the decision to come back now?

 AM:I was born in London, but returned at a tender age. Did my primary and secondary school in Nigeria before returning back to the UK where I got my degree in Multimedia and Film Production at Thames Valley University.  Coming back to Nigeria for me couldn’t have been a better time. The Nollywood industry is currently in a very good place and is set to get even better, with serious and talented filmmakers, not just from Nigerians but from film makers overseas who see potential in the Nollywood industry.

 BA: Your surname has been raising a few eyebrows..some even saying it's Namibian. how did you come by the name 'Monjaro'?

AM: My real name is Anthony Akposheri and both my parents are from Delta state and are urhobo. After my 1^st film in Nigeria,“Tears in Heaven” A Zeb Ejiro Production, I found out that there was another Tony Akposheri, who is a Nollywood actor as well.  I started out bearing Anthony Akposheri, but soon realized there will be confusion and that wont help me especially starting out then, so under Zeb Ejiro’s advise I decided to bear a stage name.

I had the choice of using my father’s 1^st name, which is Thompson, but I wanted something more African and eventually settled for Monjaro. Don’t ask me where that came from… from Inspiration I guess…lol  But I love the ring to it, MONJARO!

Anthony with a friend at the 2nd AFRIFF Festival, Lagos.

 BA: Apart from Acting... what else are you into?

 AM: Apart from being an actor, I am passionate about making films. I have a production company called House Of Monjaro. The industry is gaining new ground and receiving a lot of international recognition and I can’t think of a better industry for me right now.

 BA: Your experience on the 'Last Flight to Abuja' set... what was it like? Is it an action film or a love story?

 AM: Last Flight To Abuja is an Action Drama. I play Captain George Udama, the flight captain. Hakeem Kae-Kazin was supposed to play that role but he wanted another focal character called Adesola. Initially I was supposed to play a character called Dan, The director called me and offered me the role of Captain George Udama when it became available and I was too happy to snap it up.  I love the experience working with Obi Emelonye, the director. It wasn’t the 1^st time I had worked with him, but this was his biggest budget production.  Our set was a real plane and I had to work for most of my screens in the tight cockpit of the plane and believe me it was very uncomfortable. The tight space, the intense Nigerian heat coupled with intensive acting.  But after a few hours of getting use to it and working with my co pilot, played by Celine Loader, I soon got used to my space and the temperature, my focus became my character and performance. In all, I will say I was happy with my performance and looking forward to seeing the finished movie.

A colleague, Obi Emelonye, Jide Kosoko & Anthony Monjaro

 BA: Working with the other actors...who were they and what was that like?

 AM: We had a great cast and crew on this set.  The director (Obi Emelonye), Producer (Charles Thomas) and I flew in from the UK. The DOP, Focus Puller, Actors: Hakeem Kae-Kazim and Jennifer Ogunzie Flew in from Los Angeles. Then we had some of the best Nollywood A list stars and rising stars as well on set: Jide Kosoko, Jim Iyke, Omotola J. Kehinde, Ali Nuhu, Uru Eke, Uchie Odoputa, Celine Loader and a host of others including Gospel Sensation Charles Gransville.  We were a family of professionals there to make a film that is set to definitely be a benchmark in the Nollywood film industry. And it was a pleasure to be a part of the team on this project.

 BA: On a lighter note…it cant be all work,work and no play...so What’s your favourite movie of all time?

 AM: I can’t think of that one favourite movie of all time. But I have more than one favourite movie. Movies that have set imprints on me as an actor, My top 3 in the last 5 years will have to be: Ray, amazing performance by Jamie Foxx, A beautiful Mind - Russell Crowe... Awesome and recently The King's Speech – Colin Firth.  All 3 actors are Oscar winners for the movies except Russell for a beautiful mind, but the film did win best film that year.

 BA:  Whose your favourite actor?

 I have two favorite actors, Will Smith and Robin Williams.  Will Smith for me is the Hardest-working actors in show biz, the amount of work ethics he puts into his materials is one to emulate.  Robin Williams is an amazing Oscar winning actor who I think is one of the greatest actors of all times. In whatever roles he plays, he captures the cure of his character. Not many actors have accomplished the kind of range he has as an actor.

 BA: Whose your favourite actress?

AM: That will have to be the one and only Julia Roberts. Apart from her smiles that lights up any heart, She is an amazing actress.

 BA: Question: Favourite music and musicians?

 AM: My favorite music of all time will have to be “Heal the World” by the legendary Michael Jackson. And of course my favorite singer again will have to be The King Of Pop, Michael Jackson. He was an amazing singer. He's voice moved me to tears. His videos were inspirational.  His Bad Album was the 1^st album ever I bought as a Kid.

 BA:  Something people will like to know....Are you married or single?

 AM: I am not married and I am still new in the country, so hopefully when I am settled in I will change my status…lol

Interesting ... well, we look forward to seeing more from this young man. Watch this space! Follow Anthony on Twitter @Themonjaro

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