Eugene Mbugua is no stranger to success. He’s been named Kenya’s youngest millionaire. In 2016, he was among Forbes’ 30 Most Young Entrepreneurs in Africa, and in 2017, he made the cover of Forbes Africa as one of the 30 Under 30 Most Promising Young African Entrepreneurs. But perhaps least talked about is how he has managed to bring to the screen, different Kenyan cultures in a celebration of love and marriage with Our Perfect Wedding (OPW), a wedding reality show produced by Mbugua’s production company Young Rich Television, that airs on Maisha Magic and Showmax.
A 2019 Kalasha Awards winner for Best TV Reality Show, Our Perfect Wedding lets us into the personal lives of different couples in Kenya as they go through the preparations leading to the big day, including all the drama, setbacks and melodrama that come with planning a wedding.
In a recent interview with Showmax, Mbugua spoke about his experience producing OPW for the last four years, his love for realities and documentaries, the Kenyan celebrity couple he’d like to feature on OPW as well as the next big thing he’s bringing to the screen.
How does it feel to give many couples in Kenya this opportunity to showcase their love story on the screen?
It’s a great feeling, especially because OPW doesn’t just cover their wedding but leaves them with a documentary of the process before the big day that they can keep for posterity.
Which popular Kenyan couple would you like to capture their perfect wedding story if given a chance?
Early in 2020 radio presenter Chiki and Bien of Sauti Sol got married in a very private function. They’re a very radiant couple and I wish OPW had the chance to cover their wedding.
If the roles were reversed, would you allow intimate details of your life or wedding preparations to be aired on screen?
No, I don’t think so. I’m a rather private person.
Looking at where you started until now, what are you proudest of about OPW?
I’m proud of the team that puts it together. They go out of their way putting in gruelling hours and dedication. I’m also proud of the fact that we’ve won Best Wedding Show for every wedding award ceremony that’s been put together in Kenya in the last few years. We also won Best Reality Show at the 2019 Kalasha Awards and this was a great moment.
There are definitely challenges to any production, but what’s the biggest challenge in producing OPW for the four years it’s been on air?
Deadlines are always a big challenge and the fact that OPW has been on air every week for almost four years means we’re always chasing the clock. The show is heavy on footage and so our editors, led by the very able Dan Kasiki, are always on toes about this.
Has being listed as Kenya’s youngest millionaire made it easier to knock on doors when it comes to pitching new shows?
I don’t know how factually correct that listing was, but the fact that OPW has been watched by very many people means I’m recognised on the streets now. The thing that I like the most about this publicity is that it drives back viewership to shows like OPW.
Catch Our Perfect Wedding S1-8 on Showmax.
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