This talented actor, featured in the hit YouTube series "Umuturanyi" for over four years, revealed he first met Clapton Kibonge during their school days in secondary school. They studied together at the Ordinary Level at Academy and continued at Nyamata High School in the same class.
In an exclusive interview with InyaRwanda.com, Nkurikiyinka shared that after completing his cinema studies, Clapton unexpectedly called him with questions that turned out to be an informal audition for "Umuturanyi."
He recounted, "He asked me, ‘Have you finished your studies?’ and I replied, 'Yes!' Then he said, ‘What if someone chose you to act in the series ‘Umuturanyi’? There's a role I feel you'd excel at—you could play one of the 'Abakonyine' (a traditional group from Mutara).' He laughed with others around him and suddenly said, 'You passed the test.' That’s how I joined ‘Umuturanyi.’"
Nkurikiyinka began appearing in "Umuturanyi" starting from Episode 21. His role as a character originating from Mutara showcased the lifestyle and dialect of people from the region, earning him the nickname "Umukonyine."
He disclosed that acting wasn't initially part of his plans but discovered his passion and talent for it as people encouraged him to try cinema. Gradually, he became comfortable within the filmmaking world.
"In 2016, I experimented with filmmaking, but I wasn’t fully committed. At the time, I captured most footage using my phone," he remarked.
The series "Umuturanyi" has become a hit and resonated deeply with audiences on YouTube, particularly during Covid-19 lockdowns when people needed humor to uplift their spirits.
Clapton Kibonge, the creator and lead actor of the series, earlier mentioned how "Umuturanyi" expanded his creative horizons and marked a new milestone in his journey as a filmmaker.
The series has been instrumental in showcasing rising talents like Nkurikiyinka 'Umukonyine,' whose comedic timing, creativity, and delivery in his native dialect have endeared him to fans and contributed to his growing popularity.
Fans, whether cinema enthusiasts or regular YouTube viewers, continue to praise his performances. His shorter sketches, shared widely on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, have also attracted significant attention online.
Nkurikiyinka Charles revealed his audition for "Umuturanyi" occurred unknowingly during a casual phone conversation with Clapton.
During the call, Clapton spoke using the 'Abakonyine' dialect, which later inspired Nkurikiyinka's stage name, "Umukonyine."
"Umukonyine" noted that his deep-rooted connection with Clapton, stemming from their school years, played a significant role in his casting in "Umuturanyi."
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE INTERVIEW WITH NKURIKIYINKA ‘UMUKONYINE’
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE LATEST EPISODE OF THE SERIES ‘UMUTURANYI’