'Masinga: The Calling' - We talk to star Hakeem Kae-Kazim about the new Showmax crime thriller

The distinctive voice and face of Hakeem Kae-Kazim has become familiar to South African filmgoers and TV viewers, as his career took flight.

The actor's breakout role in international film came with his powerful portrayal of George Rutugunda in the Oscar-nominated Hotel Rwanda.

He's since racked up a slew of credits and awards, working with big names like Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Thandiwe Newton and Kim Basinger.

Right now, anticipation is building ahead of the premiere of Showmax original, Masinga: The Calling, in which Kae-Kazim stars as the main character.

He talks about the film and his career journey on Weekend Breakfast's Profile slot.

While the actor and producer was born in Nigeria, his parents emigrated to the UK when he was a year old, and moved to South Africa when he was 25.

Add to that his work in Hollywood, and Kae-Kazim says he likes to call himself a global citizen.

His love for acting was sparked at school, when he was involved particularly with the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain.

Kae-Kazim studied at the Bristol Old Vic, followed by stints with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre.

Of course, it was a battle initially to get his parents on board with his choice of career.

"Mine were the typical Nigerian parents - 'you're going to be a doctor/lawyer/ accountant/civil engineer... When it came time to choose I remember saying to them that I wanted to be an actor and there was the normal freak-out, but they came around after a while."

Kae-Kazim says the story of Masinga in the Showmax crime thriller bears some resemblance to his own life journey.

The character is a detective in the UK, where he moved to from KwaZulu-Natal after his brother died at a young age.

In the process, Masinga lost touch with his Zulu roots, which he rediscovers on returning to his homeland to investigate a case.

Written by its director, Mark Engels, the film was shot in London and Durban.

"Because of the trauma of his youth, Masinga leaves his Zulu roots behind and doesn't even speak Zulu properly anymore. When he gets sent back to Durban, he rediscovers the power and the understanding of what is meant to be him within this culture. He rediscovers himself as well as solving the case."

 Kae-Kazim highlights the depth of Engels' research in preparing for the movie, where a sangoma was on set during filming.

"Mark Engels worked on it for a number of years - he's a Zulu-speaking white South African himself. He really took his time to research and make it as authentic as possible within the culture."

The film features a star-studded cast along with Kae-Kazim, including Shamilla Miller (Devil's Peak), Abdul Khoza (Shaka iLembe), Fana Mokoena (World War Z), and Brandon Auret (Elysium).

The actor teases a possible sequel, if viewers take up this gripping story.

Masinga: The Calling premieres on Showmax on 5 December.

To listen to Hakeem Kae-Kazim in conversation with Sara-Jayne Makwala King on CapeTalk's Weekend Breakfast, click on the audio link below: