Nigerian superstar actor Chiwetel Ejiofor has spoken of his surprise at being nominated for the Oscar. Ejiofor, as News Express reported yesterday evening, has been nominated as Best Actor of the year 2013 based on his superlative acting in ‘12 Years a Slave’, one of the wave-making films on the international scene. The film, directed by Steve McQueen, is based on the true life story of Solomon Northup, a freed American slave who was kidnapped and resold into slavery but was traced and freed by his family after 12 years.

A statement by Ejiofor released after he received the news of his nomination yesterday said: “At no point during filming, in the sweltering heat of New Orleans, did any of us ever foresee the journey this film would take us all on.

“Steve McQueen created an entire family to tell one man’s tale and I am delighted that so many of this family have also been recognised today. I am hugely grateful to the Academy for this great honour, and, of course, to Solomon Northup for sharing his story through his breathtaking book.”

Meanwhile, it was a touching moment when Chiwetel’s sister, Zain Asher, broke down in tears after learning about his Oscar nomination.

“Zain Asher’s heartfelt reaction surprised her colleagues – not least because many didn’t even know she was related to the 12 Years a Slave actor,” says a Daily Mail report.

It quoted Zain, a financial news reporter with CNN, as saying: “This is a day my family has been hoping and waiting for for such a long time.

“He’s been acting since he was thirteen years old, and he’s worked so hard for this.”

The report said that as Zain described how her brother would spend hour after hour reciting lines of Shakespeare in his bedroom, she became emotional with pride.

“Chiwetel – he’s been acting since he’s 13 years old and – oh my God! I told myself I wasn’t going to cry,” she was quoted as saying through tears and laughter. “I do feel so emotional now.”

She added: “He’s someone who’s really dedicated and an actor’s actor. He’s been acting for over 20 years, and so to finally see recognition for his work – I can’t even describe the feeling.”

The 36-year-old Chiwetel, who also holds British nationality, has worked on many box office hits in the past, including ‘Love Actually’ and ‘American Gangster’. He was also nominated for a Golden Globe for his depiction of ‘12 Years a Slave’s lead character, Northup, but he missed out to Matthew McConaughey.

•Photo shows Oscar nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor.