EXCLUSIVE: Vioja Mahakamani Judge Opens Up on Replacing Dead Actor

Dominion Silas, an actor in KBC TV's court drama series, Vioja Mahakamani, on Wednesday, November 27, narrated his path to becoming a judge in the legendary TV show, and the pressure of succeeding the late Jamal Nassul Rashid.

In an interview with Kenyans.co.ke, Dominion revealed that his journey into the world of acting was not as easy as one would perceive.

He first appeared on the show in 2015, playing the role of an embattled MP for a fictitious Vurumai Constituency.

For his debut set, he would be involved in a domestic violence case, an act that contrasted his personal beliefs and respect for women in society. Through guidance, he managed to pull it off.

However, his new TV role came with a few hiccups. He had to deal with fans merging his role on TV with his real life. 

"Acting as MP, the villain of the show, I would walk in the streets and people would be like 'yaani huna huruma unapiga bibi yako?' I would get accused of stealing CDF money, 'nyinyi waheshimiwa mnakuanga na nini?'," Dominion intimated.

"I learned to deal with it, it was just acting, and I got through it," he added.

Little did he know, three years down the line, his role on set would change.

On December 11, 2018, tragedy befell the family, friends, and the world of media at large after actor Jamal Nassul Rashid was allegedly stabbed to death.

Dominion intimated that the murder troubled rest of the cast and although they did not expect it, Jamal did not have an easy day prior to his demise.

After a few days, they (Vioja Mahakamani) had to replace the late Jamal, therefore, they called for an audition for the role.

"It was just after we had done a set, then Alliwah David called me asking if I had a suit. I asked him what the suit was for and that is when he asked me to audition for the role of the judge," he narrated.

"I was hesitant at first, but I decided to try. I was going up against senior actors in the industry, some who stated they don't do auditions, either they are hired or not," he added.

After the tryouts, Dominion was selected to succeed Jamal.

Another phase of trying times in his acting career would then ensue.

"I was so nervous, a different role, interpreting the law, it was not easy but it was an interesting transition," he stated.

"At the moment, I was just trying to condole with the family, but now being in those shoes, everybody's eyes turned on me, you know those are huge shoes to fill," he added.

Jamal was a very popular actor in this country, he had done a lot of TV shows, commercials, and as a fan favourite, it was not going to be easy for Dominion.

"I felt the pressure because he (Jamal) had done it so perfectly, so unique, he brought a unique touch to the set.

I was so nervous. Would people accept me as the judge? Would they be comparing me to Jamal? There was so much pressure," the actor recalled. 

"I talk regularly with Jamal's cousin, she's also from Mombasa. She had told me, 'you know you and Jamal have a coastal background, and if you shave your head you will look similar. You have a similar stature, you will be fine'," he added.

In his first set as the judge, Dominion admitted to making a number of mistakes that resulted in call-ins from viewers questioning his ability to deliver in the role of judge.

It took the support of his crew members and programme director to successfully rise above the blunders.

"I can't lie to you, I made a lot of mistakes, I read caps and clauses wrong. People would call the show and ask 'which is this law being read?' " he remembered.

However, despite the setbacks, he managed to play the role of a judge, earning the show a nomination into the 2019 Kalasha Awards, on two categories.

"I can never be Jamal, I can only honour his legacy by being the best I can be," Dominion concluded.

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