One On One With Eve D’Souza: An Actress Who Was Once Shy

Many actors are well known for one piece of work. However, mention Hits not Homework show at Capital FM and the memories of Eve D’Souza will pop up. Also, a mention of Auntie Boss will bring out D’Souza as the best character for Varshita. The 38-year old actor described by most people as a go-getter who has rose through the ranks in both the media and film industries never thought that she would become a movie star in the East African region. The thought of being an actress never crossed her mind until she attempted it.

We were privileged to have a one-on-one interview and this is what she had to reveal about her life in the film industry:

1. Let’s start by talking about how you realized that you had a talent in the film industry.

I’ve never thought of myself as an actress. The reason I started off on radio not TV is because I was too shy and didn’t want people to actually see me. I slowly came out of my shell hosting Hits not Homework on Capital FM for many years. But as the years passed I felt the pressure to host TV shows as well and that’s when I met Lucy Mwangi my current business partner. She was the producer at KTN and asked me to host a children’s game show Triple Challenge, and then the teens show Vibe City. We worked well together and decided to quit employment and start our own company Moonbeam Productions in January 2011.

Lucy is actually the person who got me into acting and told me I had to play the role of the psychotic Indian boss on Auntie Boss. I had never acted on a show before but wanted to learn and gave it my best. I still am learning every day.

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2. Before joining the film industry, what were you doing to earn a living

I was a radio presenter on 98.4 Capital FM and joined them after finishing my degree at the Catholic University. I was on air for 10 truly enjoyable years and must admit the experience not only taught me so much but helped me grow as a person personally and professionally. Radio will always be my first love.

3. Before shooting into the public limelight, you must have been involved in other works of film? Could you please mention a few and what roles you played.

Nope.

4. What has been your best moments in your career?

Definitely my years on Capital FM hosting Hits not Homework with Soulo, I had lots of fun hosting the breakfast show with Gaetano Kagwa for a year too! But the turning point was starting my own TV production business, it’s so fulfilling to bring to life your own vision, to have control over the process, the first years were very tough, but we’ve grown as a company with every year that goes by. It’s been a blessing to be a part of its success.

5. What about the worst moment in your career

Probably just before I decided to resign from Capital FM. Radio is all I ever knew, all I ever loved. But I had started to hate coming to work, I felt frustrated, unfulfilled. There was too much interference on the show I was hosting and I often felt I wasn’t able to be or express myself or follow through on my own ideas. It was such a difficult decision to resign but I knew it was time to build something for myself.

6. During your stint at Capital FM how did you manage your acting career and the media job?

I wasn’t acting just hosting other TV shows over the weekends. Triple Challenge and Vibe City on KTN. I was the Kenyan field presenter for BBA3. And Kenyan host for South Africa’s Always Keep Movin’ dance competition and Channel O Sprite Emcee Battle.

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7. What is the best role that you have ever played so far in your career?

Obviously Varshita as that’s the only character I’ve ever played. I love her because it’s so much more fun playing someone you’re not! Everyone has more fun playing the villain especially when you’ve lived your entire life always trying to do the right thing. Varshita is overly dramatic, attention seeking, spoilt, selfish and ruthless! It’s like therapy being her for all the times I’ve been treated unfairly Lol!!

8. Tell us about your current programme, Varshita and how you landed the contract.

Varshita is a spin off from our comedy series Auntie Boss which has been running on NTV and Maisha Magic East since 2014. Lucy always felt there was a lot more we could tell using the characters Don and Varshita who are one of the household’s bosses. Margaret Mathore of Multichoice was so sold on the idea and added that very little has been revealed on the comedy and challenges involved when a traditional Indian and African family are brought together. Whilst there are cultural differences between traditional Hindu and Kikuyu families, there are also surprising similarities between the two. It’s been an amazing opportunity for me to shed light using comedy on what difficulties both races experience in regards to intermarriage and a multiracial family.

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9. If you don’t mind, please tell us about your social life. Single? Married? Kids?

Single, no kids but I love talking and playing with children. We have the best conversations! I have a very soft spot for kids.

10. What should we expect from you in future?

Lucy and I are working on being one of the top TV content providers for Africa. That’s our vision and what we are working towards this year.

11. Parting shot

Nothing comes easy, a lot of people think being on TV is easy or glamorous but don’t see how tough the process is behind the scenes and how much of your life and health you have to sacrifice. We’ve been working 7 months now, 6 days a week, 14 hours a day. Yesterday (Saturday) I was on set at 7am and got home at midnight. There are times I have cried due to fatigue, my body shuts down, you don’t feel your best but the pressure to give your best at all times remains. I believe you have to be a little super human to survive TV and film production.

This article was first published by Filamu Kenya.