Nollywood actor, Temitope  Christopher, popularly known as Tope Tedela was a relatively unknown face in Nollywood until  he beat several established names in the industry to emerge as  the Best  Actor in a drama at the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards . Was that the turning point for the Mass Communications graduate of the University of Lagos? Tope, in this engaging interview tells all about his life before and after winning the covetous award a couple of months ago. Excerpts:

By IYABO AINA

Why movie as a profession?
I have always loved acting but at some point while growing up, I didn’t think it was something I could do or allowed to do, so, I just shoved it aside. At some point, it (the acting bug) enveloped my being and I just had to take a leap of faith and followed my dreams and here I am today.

How has the experience been so far?
It has been an interesting journey so far. Some days I felt compelled to give up and other days, I wake up with an insatiable hunger to succeed in this business. I have worked hard for everything I’ve had. Therefore, I remain humble and grateful for what I am today even though there have been long spells of hardship. And I’m excited for what the future has in store for me.

Your kind of woman?
A lot of times we ask this question ‘your kind of man or woman’. My answer is, ‘what kind of person am I? Am I the kind of person that a great woman will want to be with?’ I believe everything has its time, and at the right time God will show me the right person.

Having bagged the AMVCA award, what is your vision in Life?
I hope I can leave the world better than I met it through my gifts. I just wish to change the world into a better place . Deep inside me I feel I have something unique to offer the world. So, I stay in my lane. working to be the best I can be.

*Tope

Relationship with fans?
It’s very cordial, because without the fans, we may as well make movies and send them to the moon.

Any regrets in life?
There’s always something that can be done better. There’s always an action that one would rather not have taken. Life doesn’t stop for you so the best thing is to let the past be the past.

How has AMVCA affected your life?
It has been a wonderful experience. And it has exposed me to a lot of people and more opportunities. I will say, my career has taken a turn for the better since I was awarded Best Actor in a drama, at the prestigious award.

Any project presently?
I’m working on various projects that are at different levels of development. I’m shooting a TV series titled Oasis and I’m working on a movie project with director Imoh Umoren. There are other projects in the pipeline.

About the AMVCA, what was the secret behind your coming out as a winner?
I can’t really say there was any secret. What I know is, after the nominations were announced; I received massive support from my family, friends and also my fellow actor colleagues. There was a show of solidarity which I appreciate and do not take for granted. So, there was not secret at all.

Do you have specific roles you play and how do you interpret scripts?
I’m always interested in pushing myself, so if the opportunity arises, I’d jump at it given the right conditions.
The script almost always gives pointers to who a character is. I will ask a lot of questions about his past, present, relationships and a whole lot more to understand how to portray the character. Interpretation is a whole course on its own.

Your first lead role performance?
It depends on the perspective. I’ve appeared in Niyi Towolani’s Twisted, Moses Ewang’s Torn and James Omokwe’s Awakening. My first performance in a leading role was portraying Lala in A Mile from Home. I’ve gone on to star in other films that are in post production now. I will say it has been great

Your name sounds foreign, tell us more about it?
I am definitely Nigerian. People get the pronunciation wrong and that may alter the meaning. It means something like: Explore, become rich and successful.