Actress Nike Peller is the daughter of the late Professor Abiola Peller, Nigeria’s famous magician. Since the death of her father, she and her brother Zito, have tried to ensure that his legacy lives on. In this interview with DGossip247, she speaks about magic and why she seldom appear in movies.
How would you compare the movie industry today withwhat it was in the past?
The major difference is that it is getting better anyway. Piracy is still strong, but we thank God people are now talking about it and the government is paying more attention to it day-by-day. The storyline is getting better and we are trying to do what is trending at present.
Our concept to stories differs, but we are all putting effort towards making things better than before. The camera we are using now is quite different from what was obtainable before, the locations and costumes have improved. The quality of production has hugely increased also as you can see for yourself.
Do you still have records of movies you’ve featured in?
I cannot remember really because I have been involved in many movies and I am a producer myself. I always put in my best in all of my efforts in the industry. When it comes to showbiz generally I think I have done my part. People always ask me that it has been a while they saw me in a movie, but I tell them that if I get called I won’t reject it.
I cannot be running for jobs here and there, people know my quality and what I can add to a production. And you know I do magic too, which takes more of my time. Magic has actually taking me away from acting for some time now.
What role would say has been the most challenging?
It depends on the movie; it is really hard to say. And when you are still alive and working, it would be hard to say this is the most challenging thing. It could be that those things you’ve done were not even your best. Inasmuch as tomorrow is there and you pray to witness it, other challenges would always come your way. But I thank God people embrace what we’ve been doing and that keeps me going. I even have a movie coming up soon and more are still in the pipeline.
Between acting and magic, which has been more fulfilling?
Magic of course. The way we charge or do our things is different from that of acting. In the Yoruba theatre, they don’t like paying but I think the English speaking movies pay more. Before you get to location you would have received alert on your phone, but the same thing cannot be said about the Yoruba film industry.
They would be begging you with peanuts and it has been like that for a very long time. People like us are only enjoying the name we’ve made for ourselves over the years in the industry. I thank God things are gradually getting better now like I said. But magic is very different. If I am going for a show to perform just for 10 minutes I know what would come into my pocket. We do shows for corporate organisations and top people in society.
Certain people believe that magic promotes negativity or bad things?
You should know that magic is just a means of entertainment. There is nothing so special, supernatural about magic. It is something you see on stage and this explains why we don’t do it on television. We want people to witness it themselves and feel what is happening.
Has there been a time your routine failed you while performing magic on stage?
There hasn’t been anything like that.
Are you not under pressure to sustain the legacy of your father?
Everyone knew he was a legend and his impact in the magic world was huge. My brother Zito and I took after him and we thank God we are keeping the legacy. We can only hope we get to his greatness or even surpass it.
To us, he was a lovely father and a great entertainer. He taught us many things and the legacy he left behind still keeps us going. He taught us hard work, respecting people, among others.
Do you plan to establish an academy to train people in magic?
We are looking forward to doing something like that. It would come to pass definitely; it is just a matter of time.
It seems there is no unity among the children of Professor Peller?
We see often; we are always together. Que Peller also does magic, so we all do things together.
You used to be a regular face at social events, but you’ve reduced all that. Is that deliberate?
I told you that I only go to where I get invited. If get call for an occasion and I am around, I would honour it but I am not invited why should I be there? I am a very private and disciplined person when it comes to things like that. I like to honour invitations because I see it as a great privilege and I don’t like to let people down.
How would you describe marital life?
We thank God for that. He is only one knows the best for us. You marry early or not, success in marriage depends on how you manage your home and your closeness to God. Nobody can tell you what to do in your marriage or who you should marry. The most important thing in marriage is endurance and patience. If you have these two things, you will be fine. There is no miracle in marriage; you have to put in efforts in making it work.
Do you have a new project?
Actually, my movie is coming out very soon. The title is Oluwatomisin and I want people to look out for it. We would also be at the Muson Centre Onikan, National theatre in Lagos very soon too to excite people with magic performancs. Hopefully in December, you will be seeing more of my brother and I doing magic.
Why don’t you feature in English movies?
I don’t have anything against acting English plays. I feel the English speaking people select themselves for roles. Tribalism exists in the movie industry as well. They don’t call Yorubas for roles; it is possible they have the mentality that we cannot interpret the roles very well, which is very wrong. But we still have few of their producers who give roles to Yoruba actors. Generally, they don’t like to work with us.
