Renowned Nollywood actor Ibrahim Chatta has dismissed claims that he is underrated in the Nigerian movie industry.
Speaking on a recent episode of the ‘Talk To B’ podcast, the actor asserted his position as one of the highest-paid Yoruba-speaking actors in the country.
“A lot of times, some people say Ibrahim Chatta is underrated. No, I’m not. I’m one of the highest-paid Yoruba-speaking actors in Nigeria,” Chatta said during the interview.
Reflecting on his journey to stardom, the Nupe-born actor revealed that before gaining prominence in the industry, he worked tirelessly as a “studio rat,” writing and composing movie soundtracks and promotional jingles.
“I gave myself responsibility because I discovered it would make me stronger. At a point, I told my mum that I was comfortable and that she shouldn’t bother sending me foodstuffs. But I wasn’t comfortable,” he said.
Chatta shared that he worked as a bus conductor to make ends meet before his breakthrough in the film industry.
“I would work for about a week or two as a bus conductor and I would get somebody [to assist financially]. Then I got lucky and started writing and composing movie soundtracks. I did soundtracks for over 400 films and promotional jingles for over 400 firms.”
He also recalled spending countless hours in studios across Ikeja and other locations, crafting songs and movie soundtracks before making a name for himself as an actor.
“At a point, I was a studio rat. I would go to the studio, write songs, sing, and perform,” he said.
