Review Fix Exclusive: Mphahlele Lukman Interview

Mphahlele Lukman is the author of not only literature, but also his own destiny. Unlike those that worry themselves over uncertainty, Lukman foresees nothing but promise for himself. Would there be a hint of doubt in his aspiration, Lukman does not show. He has the hands of a writer, his right hand’s middle finger calloused in the area his pen rests upon, with the telltale black smudges splotched here and there. For Lukman, his destination has just begun.

Proud of his work, yet modest, Lukman has completed writing a novel “Piercing Eyes” which is set to be released to bookstores in paperback in 2014. “Piercing Eyes” revolves around two main characters, Colin Powell Jeffrey Walcott (otherwise referred to as “PJ”) and Beverley Diana Elizabeth Pinnock-Bradford, two estranged lovers searching for their destiny.

Beverly, a privileged individual from birth, is a woman of the highest pedigree in accordance to financial and social status. She has daddy issues and searches for love and belonging in a male figure. PJ, as Lukman describes as “a player from the hood”, searches for power. Although from different sides of the tracks, they both are well educated individuals, graduated from some of the elite schools in the world. In this they find commonalities that lead toward a relationship. In finding each other, they fulfill their inner longings. However, one person does not remain content.

“I decided to write this book starting out with 2 people falling in love, short courtship…both achieving something in their own right, and over time he took her love for granted because he strayed, common things that happen in a relationship,” Lukman describes.

Just another love story gone sour, with the prospect of a warm and fuzzy, barfing rainbows, kiss-me-passionately-in-the-rain happy ending?

Hardly. Nicholas Sparks already fills those shoes plenty.

“The main thesis of the book is espionage, about secrets,” Lukman describes, drawing inspiration from favorite author Robert Ludlum, author of the Bourne trilogy series, as well as Dan Brown, famous for critically acclaimed works such as The DaVinci Code.

“Towards the middle to the end of the book that is where he now ends up having to justify himself, if he could, to the federal government of the US for crimes such as tax evasion, money laundering, and handing federal trade secrets to other foreign government,” Lukman provides that essential twist and element that makes his story one of a kind.

Lukman admits that writing was not his initial plans, but there was a seed that was planted in him to be a writer. And once destiny had planted that seed in him, it was up to him to feed it life and begin the germination process.

“Initially, I had a keen interest for the medical sciences, and I still do, but I felt the need to write a novel. I believe I’m called to do many things, and have many missions, and passions here on earth, but I’m very humble,” Lukman says.

Many missions Lukman indeed has. Aside from working on a second novel, “The Maranouchi Incident” he continues to expand his horizon. His publishers and attorneys have pushed him to screenwrite a movie based on “Piercing Eyes” which they strongly believe will be a Hollywood hit. Of course, Lukman humbly agrees as well.

Converting his novel into a screenplay, Lukman already has his mind set on actors to play the roles of his characters such as Blair Underwood to play PJ. He also hopes to earn the honor of having Antoine Fuqua as a director. He also confirms that long time friend A.J. Ekoku, an actor, who has played a role in “A Bronx Tale”, will also be part of the cast.

Ekoku, well versed in martial arts, will play the role of a security guard, a close friend of the protagonist, Beverley. Lukman says that Ekoku was delighted to be asked to play the part.

“He’s a good friend,” says Ekoku respectfully, “He has gold and I feel it.”

Still, his goals go far beyond literature and Hollywood. His aspirations are as high as the sky.

In accordance to novelist, and screenwriter, Lukman fancies being a businessman and wants to branch out into an airline business, and adventurously into clothing and music.

He also wants to open up a record label, knowing many artists that he wants recognized for their raw talent. In accordance to his passion for songwriting and music, Lukman is also pushing to collaborate with pop star and recording artist Rihanna. He expresses interest in her because they both hail from Barbados and has personal connections to her as well.

In collaboration with his close friend and confidant, he plans to venture into the world of clothes design. In addition to ready to wear clothing, the two have also planned to create a unisex fragrance that Lukman describes as, “a fragrance so elegant for the woman as it is for the man – we’ll call it L-man.”

For such colossal plans as these, the prospect of a positive turnout is always 50/50. The work to reach that success would seem daunting to just anyone., but not to Lukman.

“It will happen,” Lukman says in unshaken faith, “It becomes a spiritual thing, almost like a nirvana where all you need to do is plant a seed and somewhere along the line the universe, the energy guides you.”