Award-winning actor Hlomla Dandala recently made his debut appearance in Smoke & Mirrors as Caesar Ngonyama, replacing Zolisa Xaluva.
He didn't get a warm welcome from the show's ardent viewers.
Instead, he was widely criticised for an underwhelming performance. For the first time, the former The River thespian breaks his silence on this issue, which has been on the lips of many viewers and social media users.
Speaking with TRUELOVE, he says the criticism is something he expected.
"The criticisms were expected. They are part of the game. If people can heap praise on you, they can also heap criticism. As long as they continue to watch and enjoy, there’s room to meet each other halfway," he says.
@truelovemagazine Mavuso Magabane (who plays Jaxon on #etv's #SmokeAndMirrors) also shares the importance of creating a safe space for creatives to thrive. #MeshackMavuso ? original sound - TRUE LOVE
Hlomla says playing a villain is not new to him because he's played it before in his career that spans over two decades.
"I actually play villains more often than people realise. But it’s a fun challenge for me."
READ MORE | Smoke & Mirrors' Ayanda Bandla on playing Thandiswa and challenges of unequal pay in the TV industry
Stepping into Zolisa's shoes has been a task he was ready to embrace. He describes taking over from Zolisa a "big challenge".
"It’s always tough starting a new character. It’s even tougher when it’s a role that someone else had done well," he admits.
In January 2024, Hlomla wrapped up his role in The River where he'd been for six seasons. He concedes that being an actor is precarious because there are times when jobs are few and far between.
"Dry spells are always a challenge. And it’s often challenging dealing with personalities who don’t care about the industry," he says.
