“I’m still struggling despite being famous” – Popular Yoruba Actor Kunle Afod Reveal Shocking Details Online

Despite his fame and wealth, Kunle Afod, a renowned Nollywood actor and producer, maintains his belief that he is still on the path to becoming a star. To him, the struggles he faces signify progress. In a conversation with OLAITAN GANIU, he shares insights into his early experiences in the film industry, the prejudice faced by Yoruba-speaking films from certain award organizers, and other relevant subjects. Born in Oyo State, Afod achieved breakthrough success as a teenager in the industry. Would you consider the epic movie titled, ‘Owo Blow’ as the greatest film you have ever featured in? ‘Owo Blow’ holds a special place in my heart as one of my greatest movies ever. It provided a platform that has greatly influenced my career. It’s a remarkable feeling when people identify you by the character you portrayed in a film because it signifies the impact the movie has had on your life. Apart from ‘Owo Blow,’ I have delivered exceptional performances in numerous other films such as ‘Ija Omode,’ ‘Ewe Orun,’ ‘Solo Makinde,’ ‘Ade Ferarri,’ and ‘Atanda Eru Obodo.’ Additionally, I have worked on a movie titled ‘Awolu ati Awawu’ featuring the talented Toyin Abraham, along with several other fantastic productions. Tell us the concept behind your soon-to-be-released movie, ‘Esin Baba’. What is the guarantee that your father’s faith will lead you to paradise or make you sane in the sight of the Lord? It’s something that I’ve been thinking about for a very long time: ‘Does religion really matter in love, or does love determine people’s religion? And they say God is love; if truly God is love, do we have to create a barricade for two lovers to separate them because they are not worshipping God on the same platform?’ So this film is to address these questions and tells the world that loves supersedes all things since God is love. Though some people would feel that if the next person they are going to get married to, or if their son/daughter is going to get married to, is from another religion, it might have an effect on the kids. The question is: ‘Would your religion lead them to paradise?’ I feel what should matter is our love for one another. A lot of Nollywood films are being released on streaming platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and others. How do you intend to distribute your new film to attract a global audience? The emergence of streaming platforms is a highly welcomed development. It instills in us a growing sense of hope that the industry can now provide sustenance for us. I had the privilege of producing a movie called ‘Esin Baba,’ which was created with a high standard of quality. My intention is to release it on my official YouTube channel, Kunle Afod TV, to allow a global audience to appreciate the platform and to showcase the consistent delivery of top-notch productions on my channel. Additionally, I am currently involved in the production of another movie titled ‘Ide Ase.’ This film delves into the mystery behind the unexplained disturbance of peace in a particular town. The suffering endured by every citizen is palpable, but an unexpected source brings comfort and relief. The development of streaming platforms has opened up new avenues for filmmakers to reach a wider audience, and I am excited to utilize platforms like YouTube to showcase my work and connect with viewers on a global scale. As I continue to create compelling movies, I am dedicated to maintaining a standard of excellence and providing entertainment that resonates with audiences both locally and internationally. Many Yoruba films are usually excluded from international awards. What could be the reasons for the omission? Maybe we were not looking in that direction before now, but very soon you’ll be shocked at what is coming up. A lot of fantastic Yoruba movies are on the way, and I’m sure we will be getting international recognition by the time these films are released. So, get your fingers crossed. …What about the just-concluded Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA)? Well, if you look at the overall movie of the year, it was won by a Yoruba flick from Kunle Afolayan. Also, the movie, which got Tobi Bakre the Best Actor, you can say it is a 50/50 kind of Yoruba film. However, my observation about AMVCA is that, for a very long time, Africa Magic/Multichoice usually celebrated their grooming talents more. A whole lot of them have won the award in recent years. There is a Yoruba adage that says: ‘Omo eni kii se idi bebere, ki a fi ileke sidi omo e lomi (meaning: one’s daughter would not possess a gorgeous waist while one adorns another person’s daughter with a waist bead). I feel they have their own products, including folks from their reality show, #BBNaija, who have found themselves in the movie industry. So, they (the organisers of the award) awarded some of their Africa Magic projects. If it is truly the Viewers’ Choice Award, let’s see how viewers are voting. In the past, some

chizzy

Jul 1, 2023 - 20:15

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