In an exciting new venture, rapper Senzo “Kwesta” Vilakazi and choreographer Bontle Modiselle-Moloi have taken on leading roles in the film Piano Love, a story that blends music and tragedy to bring together the characters Sipho and Lerato. Speaking to IOL, Modiselle-Moloi shared her thoughts on the whirlwind experience of shooting the film in just eight days, and the challenges and triumphs that came with stepping into a lead role.
The project, which was completed in an astonishingly short time frame, celebrated its exclusive screening at Hyde Park on August 29. The event was a glamorous affair, with Modiselle-Moloi turning heads in a striking pink outfit by Sihle Zanele as she walked the red carpet. Reflecting on the intense shooting schedule, she said, “The time and the effort and work that we put in is so incredible… It was a lot of pressure, I will be honest.”
Taking on the role of Lerato, a risk-taker faced with tough decisions throughout the film, Modiselle-Moloi admitted that the pressure was significant. However, she focused on staying true to the character. “I just wanted to be honest and authentic, and I’m pretty sure that people will be able to resonate with the character,” she explained.
Modiselle-Moloi sees herself in Lerato, finding common ground in their shared ability to navigate life’s challenges. She hopes audiences will connect with the character’s journey. “I hope that people will take away a lot from her, from her experiences, her story, her decisions, and how she navigates her life.”
While Modiselle-Moloi is no stranger to roles involving dance, she expressed a desire to explore more diverse characters in the future. “The next role I take on I hope has no dance,” she revealed. “I think it’s great that people are going to see me stepping out of my dance space as an actress, but I think the next role must not be dance-oriented.”
For Kwesta, the Piano Love premiere marked his first red carpet appearance as an actor, a stark departure from his 17-year-long career in music. Reflecting on the transition, he shared, “I’ve been doing the music thing for about 17 years. It feels good to do something new after 17 years. I got out of my way and tried something new and hopefully it works out.”
Initially hesitant when approached by the film’s director, Mandla N, Kwesta admitted, “I was scared, I was afraid. I’m not even going to act tough, I was scared.” Despite his fears, the rapper embraced the challenge and found himself empowered by the experience. “A start of a new career,” he said, hinting at future acting endeavours, possibly even formal training.
Amapiano music plays a central role in Piano Love, with some of the genre’s biggest hits featured throughout the film. However, the inclusion of the music came with its own set of challenges. Mandla N revealed that securing the rights to the songs was a “nightmare,” involving numerous hurdles and a costly process that, in the end, paid off.
The film’s journey continued with an international premiere in London on September 2nd, further spreading the spirit of amapiano to the world.
