By Saheed Ojubanire
In the Yoruba sector of nollywood today, one thing is very obvious. And that is the fact that Odunlade Adekola is the most sought-after actor in the industry. No cast seems to be complete without giving the Abeokuta bred actor a significant role in it. The tall and good looking thespian who recently added a bundle of joy to his young family is surely an actor with depth and thoroughness and that seems to have been the cutting edge for him so far. Recently, Saheed Ojubanire caught up with the easy-going actor who won the award of the best actor of the year in the maiden City People Entertainment Award last year, at H.Kod hotel, Abeokuta, where he came to shoot a movie. He spoke about why he is very hot, his relationship with female colleagues and fans and why he was not able to pursue his dream of becoming a lawyer. Excerpt.
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, when ever 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, scene 3. And funnily enough, I didn’t know what scene means then, I was just doing my own. And when ever they called upon us to perform, we would perform and everyone would laugh. And 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 now thought me how to move, turn, do this and that, I now said: emi o mope ole to yio!( I never knew it’s this difficult). So, by and large, I can say acting for me started from my childhood days, especially from church.
Q: In the course of your growth 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 that Odun cannot act the role that was given to him properly as the governor in the movie, but he(Alasari) called me to the side 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, but it was Asiri Gomina Wa that brought me to the spotlight. And there are a lot of other productions like that, that have added to my relevance in the industry such as Ara Lamo which was produced by Yinka Quadri and my own productions too. So, I see every production as a new challenge because that might be the production in which some people would be seeing me 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.
Q: So, how did you become the hottest actor in the Yoruba sector of Nollywood today?
R: I can’t really answer that question. 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 things like that. And I would thank them and would also thank God for making me appealing to them. And 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 they have called like that but are no where to be found today. And they are still alive. But they are 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 said I see every movie that I’m partaking in as a challenge. And that is the only thing that 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 would be 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 good 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. And I have 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 can see, 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 dating you?
R: I love all my female fans. Do you know why? They are the ones that really watch films. And they would still make their boyfriends, their husbands, their fathers brothers and other people around them to watch our films by telling the about us. They 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 my self 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 tell us some of the schools you attended?
R: I attended Snt John RCM primary school in Abeokuta here. Then, to Snt Peter’s College, Olomore, Abeokuta. And I am still schooling in one University that I don’t wan to mention.
Q: Which movie should your fans be expecting from your stable soon?
R: It is Fayebora. That is the title.
Q: Finally, what is your message for your teeming fans out there?
R: My message is that I love them all. And I want them to know that any position they find themselves in today is not by their power, it is by the grace of God. So, they have to keep on praying. Because, it is only by prayer and not by their power that they can be what ever they want to be. That is all.
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