Kunle Afod: Most blockbuster movies feature Yoruba language | The Guardian Nigeria News

Kunle Afod is a Nollywood actor and producer well known in the Yoruba movie industry. Having been in the industry for over two decades, Afod rose to prominence when he directed a popular movie, titled, Ori Eiye. He has been featured in hundreds of Nollywood films including Ofin Kokanla, Pitan, Orindola, Ade Ferrari, lmado, Pami Nku, Wura Ati Fadaka, Awolu Ati Awawu, lka Kefa, Iya Igbo, Jenrayo and Orindola. The talented thespian got his big break as a teenager and now 50, he speaks to IJEOMA THOMAS-ODIA on his coming projects.

You’ve been acting for over two decades, what has been your driving force?
GOD has been my source of inspiration and my driving force, but I always love to work with the upcoming generation because sooner or later they will be the ones taking over from us. I remember that I played the role of a teacher in a movie entitled, Ija Omode, featuring some younger actors, but today, we are acting together as friends and colleagues. I believe that if we encourage the younger generation by featuring them in our projects, it would give you a long stretch in the entertainment industry.

There is need for a lot of professionalism in place, how have you been able to combine all necessary factors to stay relevant in an industry like yours?
You put professionalism into all you do. Some people are introverts and they are in the show business. It will be a bit difficult when such person gets to certain stage. I did my birthday in Lagos and I went to Ibadan and I had to go because they want to see me and I’m still in their face. By Monday I have to be on set and it’s part of professionalism. When I was young, I hate snapping pictures but when I got into the job, you have to take pictures and do things to keep being relevant.

You recently clocked 50, what has changed about you?
The truth is life is still the same at 50. I relate with my children like we are friends. I want to be happy and it’s to keep fit. You just have to understand that 50 is just a number. Abroad you will see women of 70 getting married to men in their 20s. They feel young in their heart. I don’t see any difference. I eat the same food; my teeth don’t feel pain. I have a very sharp sight. If you mix a pin in the sand, I’ll find it. Acting depends on your ability to interpret any role you are given. Actors should be able to interpret roles irrespective of their age.

The industry is growing as a result of new developments with indigenous movie making statement; don’t you think you are struggling to fit in?
Didn’t you see me in Jagun Jagun? The revolution started from us because we felt the older ones betrayed the professionalism in the job and they felt the same because what we are doing now, they hadn’t done it. We decided to just turn the table around. If you look at 90 per cent of every blockbuster movie in Nigeria now, it’s owned by a Yoruba person. It’s either Funke Akindele, Jade Osiberu, Kemi Adetiba and others. They do fantastic movies and they are Yorubas. If you watch those movies closely you will see that they speak more of Yoruba language in them but I wonder why they want to class them differently from being Yoruba movie. The difference we tried to showcase is that we go all out without speaking any English and make a difference. Technicality is the key and money. When there is money, you will achieve it. Currently, I’m planning on shooting my own project.

Before now indigenous movie makers are scared of the mainstream market, do you think there is a market for it now considering the good works of some filmmakers?
Truth be told, before now filmmakers are afraid to invest in indigenous movies because they feel there is no market for it, but for the likes of Kunle Afolayan, Femi Adebayo and others who have made a difference, now there is a serious market for it, because nobody wants to do a movie with so much budget and at the end of the day go bankrupt. Thankfully, we have streaming platforms like such as, Prime, Showmax and now the cinema culture is back. Back in the days, it was only National Theatre but for the purpose of growth, we now have various cinemas across the states, which have also given room to potential investors to support the creative industry.

The Yoruba industry is known to have a lot caucus, don’t you think such movements have affected the industry negatively?
I don’t see it as a negative force. If you are a lawyer and you have a chamber, is it going to affect the whole association of barristers? No. You have your own people too. It’s just a way of being comfortable with people around you. Some people want to act now and they had stayed in Ekiti and they joined the person, that doesn’t mean when the opportunity arises, they won’t work with others. It’s just to let you enjoy the industry and learn a trick or two. I’ve been training people for 24 years. When I tell them this kind of story they understand. I have trained so many people. At first, I started training technical people and then I decided to train actors like Regina Chukwu, Gaji, Yinka Solomon and others. When Femi was doing Jagun Jagun, I had 10 of my students in it. His present project now, some of my students will be there, no doubt. That’s how we do it.

If you weren’t an actor, what would you be?
I love music production so much. If I were not into acting, I might be a music producer, promoter or anything related to entertainment, because I have a passion for it. Aside from that, I might have been a creative artist—drawing or painting—because I have little knowledge of that. Maybe, I would have ventured into it deeply, or I would’ve been selling cars.