Khanyi Mbau stars in new romantic-drama film

Mzansi vixen Khanyi Mbau is about to take on the big screen in a huge way in 2016.
Mbau will star in the lead role alongside seasoned actresses Mmabatho Montsho and Renate Stuurman in the upcoming local romantic-drama movie Happiness Is A Four-Letter Word set to hit South African theatres next year around Valentine’s weekend.
The 30-year-old superstar describes the picture as a first of its genre to be locally produced, borrowing from internationally successful movies such as the 2007 Tyler Perry-directed Why Did I Get Married? and its 2010 sequel Why Did I Get Married Too?
“Audience can expect international values in terms of production value, the picture, the quality, and even the writing, the storyline behind it. This is the first of its kind to compete with international movies such as Why Did I Get Married 1 and 2 . A Think Like a Man kind of a film,” Mbau explains.
Mbau plays the role of the enchanting Zaza, billed as a trophy wife and mother of two, who happens to own a shoe store.
Directed by Thabang Moleya – noted for his work on critically acclaimed TV drama JOZI H – the movie is a screen adaptation of a book written by South African black female author Nozizwe Cynthia Jele.
The movie had its principal photography from mid-July this year and was shot in all the luxurious as well as lavish places around Johannesburg.
“The movie was shot in all the opulent, expensive and beautiful places around Johannesburg – Sandton, Houghton. All these areas you can think of as beautiful, we were there. We used the nicest cars, the biggest mansions, the most expensive cutlery and shoes,” Mbau adds.
Further stacking a claim to her sex symbol status; Mbau reveals that her character is involved in a love-triangle in the movie, teasing that she is also involved in a few risqué scenes.
“I’ve two love interests and a few steamy scenes in the movie. I feel sorry for my mom. If she’s coming to the premiere, I’m still trying to decide if I should get her there. My mom doesn’t know that I’m that flexible. Let’s just say if you think of Fifty Shades, we borderline on that,” Mbau declares.
Hlomla Dandala, Simo Magwaza and Richard Lukunku have supporting roles in the film. Mbau states that working with the A-list cast was only a pleasure and she hopes audiences will start taking her serious as an actress after seeing the movie.
“Mmabatho Montsho and Renate Stuurman are considered well-seasoned actresses because they have film-making skills and they went to film school. Where as me, most people view me as a pop culture celebrity and when it comes to talent, it’s not the first thing that comes to mind when you say Khanyi Mbau,” Mbau remarks.
“I’ll like the audience to see my vicinity. Because when I had a talk show people were like ‘can she even host’ and people were pleasantly surprised. When I did Doobsie, that was a great role, but it was then overpowered by so many other things of my marriage, my class and my life. This movie is just to remind people this is the reason why I am and I live today. I’ll love people to leave the Instagram Khanyi at home. Sit and watch the film, get into the character.”