Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
ACTRESS, comedienne and entrepreneur Felistas “Mai TT” Murata says she now has an indomitable spirit which can carry her through any storm.
She said the digital creative space is “not for the faint-hearted” but for those bold enough to withstand trolls and critics.
Mai TT has made notable strides in breaking into Nollywood through the film ‘Lost in the Ashes.’
“I went to jail and came back, and now, I’m still strong, hanging around with the big fish.
“I always dream big, and my fans should brace themselves for more exciting times.
“In our industry, if you don’t have haters, you haven’t started.
“I’ve gone through a lot of ridicule, which has made me stronger.
“To this day, I’m here doing what I enjoy and cherish the most.”
She starred in a heavyweight West African cast in the movie ‘Lost in the Ashes” and Mai TT says her journey proves that local creatives can conquer international screens.
“I’m here because of hard work, yet some doubting Thomases are still questioning how I managed to succeed in such a big movie when they were used to seeing me perform skits on social media.
“I am, in fact, one of the people who laid the foundation for content creation in Zimbabwe, making it popular on social media using just my phone.
“It gained me a lot of followers as well as haters, but I knew both my haters and fans would wait for my skits and announcements.
“At first, we were doing it for fun, but it laid the foundation that I’ve always dreamt of as an actress.”
Mai TT says Nollywood is only the beginning.
“With such a large population of 235 million people, what more can you ask for if you make a breakthrough in that market?
“I’ve met some of the household names in the Nigerian film industry and more opportunities are coming in the near future.
“We’re not stopping at all. I’m now a person chasing big dreams, no longer just that Mai TT you know, although I haven’t forsaken my roots,” she said.
Given that Nigeria’s population is more than 15 times that of Zimbabwe, Mai TT believes the market offers unmatched exposure for local filmmakers.
But even as her star rises, she acknowledges that the journey has not been without challenges.
Mai TT said she is close to sealing a major deal with Africa Magic and other leading channels across the continent.
“When your work is being requested by some of the continent’s biggest channels, that’s enough endorsement that you’re doing something big for your nation and yourself.”
She said she is already working on another production.
“I’m working on a new movie and have more than 100 pages of the script that I need to grasp.
“By the way, making movies is not for dull people and if the records serve you right, there are some so-called big names you might know who tried it and failed.
“Yet you don’t want to praise Mai TT just because you don’t like her, even though she is cherished outside Zimbabwe, especially in Nollywood,” she said.
Mai TT urged rising stars to stay grounded and maintain focus.
“They need to stay focused and forget everything about their poor backgrounds and lack of resources.
“They should avoid living a lie and simply remain committed to their craft, even if it means ignoring haters,” she said.
Beyond comedy and acting, Mai TT wears many hats. She is a musician, an events manager, an MC and a formidable force in Zimbabwe’s entertainment industry.
Mathew Masinge