When Odunlade Adekola first hit the industry few years ago, experts thought he was just a flash in the pan. But one thing became obvious in the Yoruba sector of Nollywood, the young chap is now out to make a statement that he is no more a naïve kid.
Q: At what point in your life did you realize that acting would be your career?
R: Acting for me
started from my childhood days. It started from my church, Christ Apostolic
Church (CAC) in Lafenwa, Abeokuta here. Then, whenever they wanted to do
society anniversary at the church and they needed side attraction for the
anniversary, we used to disturb them, a friend called Tunde and I, would tell
them that we could perform as jesters at the anniversary, and they would say no
problem. And I would just pick up my pen and would start writing scene 1, scene
2, and scene 3. And funnily enough, I didn't know what scene means then, I was
just doing my thing. And whenever they called upon us to perform, we would
perform and everyone would laugh. As at then, I was seeing the likes of Ogogo
and co, I'm talking about '92,'93,'94, I was seeing them as if I could do
better than what they were doing then. When I now came into the industry, and
they thought me how to move, turn, do this and that, I said: emi o mope ole to
yio! (I never knew it's this difficult). By and large, I can say acting for me
started from my childhood days, especially from church.
Q:
In the course of your growing up in the industry, what are some of the
challenges that came your way?
R: There were a lot of
challenges, but the greatest of them all has been the challenge of being at my
best at all times. I mean the challenge of going through a script and
fashioning a way to interpret the role I'm expected to play in the best
possible way. I always think about how best I can deliver any role that is
given to me. Let me give you an instance in this regard. Ishola Durojaye,
(Alasari) in the production of one of his films then, 'Asiri Gomina Wa', there
a lot of criticisms filters that Odun cannot act the role that was given to him
properly as the governor in the movie, but he (Alasari) called me aside and
said no matter what they say, Odun, you are going to do it. This is your
script, go through it and master it. And I was thrown into confusion and a
challenge as to how I would not disappoint someone that has placed such
enormous confidence in me. But I thank God today, though I have been acting
before Asiri Gomina Wa, it was Asiri Gomina Wa that brought me to the spotlight.
And there are a lot of other productions that have also added to my relevance
in the industry such as Ara Lamo which was produced by Yinka Quadri and my own
productions too. I see every production as a new challenge because that might
be the production some people would be seeing me in for the first time and that
is what would give them the idea of the kind of actor that I am.
Q:
How many productions of your own do you have in the market now?
R: I have five or six.
I have Farapamo, Emi Ni Ire Kan, Baba Super, Ila Owo, Eje Fun Eje anf Fayebora.
Q:
And how did you become the hottest actor in the Yoruba sector of Nollywood
today?
R: I can't really
answer that. You know I only get invitations to come and act in movies and I
would go there and do my job. I don't run after anybody and I want to believe
nobody is running after me. Although, a lot people would call me and say if we
don't see your face in a movie, we won't buy it and all that. And I would thank
them and would also thank God for making me appealing to them. Another thing I
always tell them is that; please continue to pray for me because there have
been a number of actors before me that are nowhere to be found today and they
are still alive. They are just no more marketable. So, I don't know anything about
being the hottest actor. What I know is that my God is always there for me.
Q:
But there must have been something special about your acting that almost every
producer wants you in their productions…
R: Like I told you, I
see every movie that I'm partaking in as a challenge. And that is the only
thing I know. And two, if you are invited as an actor to any production, you
shouldn't see your audience as fools. Deliver your role as if everything is
real. You have to convince them as if what they are watching is happening in
real life. As if it is reality. And they would be watching and enthralled with
your acting. They shouldn't see lapses and that is the secret. If I'm to play a
good boy in a movie, I'll play that good boy to the core. And if it's to be a
bad boy, I'll do it to the best of my ability. That is all.
Q:
So, what are the things acting has done for Odunlade Adekola?
R: I have
rest of mind. I am personally okay. I can eat three square meal conveniently. I
am comfort. Those are the things acting has done for me.
Q: How do
you relate with you female colleagues in the industry?
R: Just as
you have seen, Sikiratu Sindodo just came in to greet me by hugging me. And I
told her I'm busy, I'll see you later. And that is all.
Q: Are you
saying you don't have a personal relationship with any of them?
R: No, no,
no. We are all friends. My relationship with them is purely professional.
Q: How about
your female fans outside, I mean the overzealous ones that would insist on a
date?
R: I love
all my female fans. Do you know why? They are the ones that really watch films
and make their boyfriends, their husbands, their fathers brothers and other
people around them to watch our films by telling them about us. They would say,
there is one good actor now called so, so, so, you have to see his new movie.
And there and then, they help build our fan base. So, I always appreciate my
female fans when they call me to say Odunlade, we are enjoying your movies. And
I would also make myself available to those that have business deal for me or
want to join acting. There is nothing beyond that.
Q: Are you
saying you have never dated a female fan?
R: No.
Never!
Q: If you
were not an actor, what would you have been?
R: I would
have been a business administrator or a lawyer. That is if my educational
background had been very solid. But, to now start pursuing all that now, I
think it's too late for me. I have to be realistic because it would take much
of my time. At least, as I am now, I can take care of myself and my family.
Q: Can you
let us into our background?
R: I
attended Saint John RCM primary school in Abeokuta here. Then, to Saint Peter's
College, Olomore, Abeokuta. And I am still schooling in one of the University
that I don't want to talk about.
Q: Which
movie should your fans be expecting from your stable soon?
R: I just finished with is Fayebora and another one is in
the pipe.
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