Tanzanian IDRIS SULTAN, winner Big Brother Africa 2014, has been cast in the motion picture Ballin...On the Other Side of the World, the story of a Kenyan boy, whose parents are victims of a violent crime
Congratulations. This is not an easy feat. How did you pull it off considering that you were pitted against more experienced actors?
The levels of commitment I exhibited paid off. I gave it my best and made sure I followed instructions.
You won the Big Brother Africa reality show in 2014. What have you been doing since then? in between
I had it all figured out. I have worked as a radio presenter at choice FM and hosted two major continental events (Abrayanz Awards and MTV MAMAs).
I have also been instrumental in developing standup comedy in Tanzania.
Have you been an actor before? Yes, I have featured in a Tanzanian film Kiumeni, which marked my feature film debut. This is my second movie. I am amazed with the reception from my fans and production crew so far.
What is the budget of this film? About $5 million (Tsh11 billion).
Have you settled on which city in Africa?
I haven’t been informed yet but it could be either in East Africa or South Africa.
Who scouted for you, when and where?
Ernest Napoleon who screened my debut movie Kiumeni in America and D-street's CEO Dexter.
The storyline is based on a Kenyan family in Kenya. Don’t you think that a Kenyan should have been cast for it?
Kenyan actors and actresses have been doing major movies to enable them land a role in Hollywood. They already have Lupita there. As a Tanzanian, I worked extra hard to beat them.
How is Sultan different in real life from the on-screen persona?
I am pretty much the same. I don’t get bothered by the characters of people I befriend because I am my own man.
What kind of roles are you looking forward to after Ballin...On the Other Side of the World ends?
I am looking for more serious roles. Not just comedy. I would even audition to play James Bond although I know an African James Bond is most unlikely to happen.
Have you had any acting coaching/training? If so where, and if not, how will you go about this role?
Yes, while in Big Brother Africa, we had acting classes every week. I fell in love with acting and learned a lot.
You are very visible and popular on social media. Do you have people who handle your accounts or you do it yourself? This is because you have had a Tweef with #KOT on a tweet about Kenyans. Tell us how that played out and what effects it had on you, going forward. I run my own accounts, the #KOT bit was fun. I love Kenya a lot. What matters is how people move on after that. What is your take on East Africa as a place for young people in the showbiz business compared to Nigeria and SA where it is big moneyed? First, I think East Africans aren’t properly motivated and therefore lack the necessary confidence.
Secondly, With us (Tanzanians), we lack English proficiency which plays a big role.
If you did not enter BB (which you won and got famous) what else would you have been doing with your life?
I would be doing exactly what I am currently doing. I had a plan of making it in the entertainment business before BBA fame. BBA just popped into my plan and from there its been God's work.
What is you favourite hangout spot in East Africa and why? At the moment it is Arusha, Zanzibar and Tanga. They all offer the best from breathtaking sceneries, mountains, cascading waterfalls, azure blue seas and sandy beaches.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years’? Winning the first Emmy, Grammy, MTV movies, BET movies and Oscar for Tanzania. I see myself in the Forbes list among rich celebrities worldwide. Finally helping hone Tanzanian talent.
