Nollywood star reveals secrets to wealth in Nollywood
– Nollywood movie star Kunle Afolayan speaks on paths to success in Nollywood
– Lists late father and Tunde Kelani as major inspirations who have helped shape his career
Nollywood star Kunle Afolayan has opened up on some key elements that have helped him progress in the Nigerian movie industry.
The multi award-winning movie actor and producer spoke to Punch recently on the lessons he got from his late father, lessons that have helped him stay successful as a Nigerian film star.
Actor and producer Kunle Afolayan at a social function
Afolayan also disclosed that though his father left a great legacy in terms of his outputs, he was broke at the time of his death owing to his inability to understand as well as perfect the business side of movie making.
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Speaking on Wednesday, March 10 to Punch, the entertainer added that his father’s example has led him to take adequate precautions in order not to make similar mistakes.
He gave the response when asked if a movie practitioner can survive solely based on movies without having extra business involvements on the side.
He said: “It’s an open play ground for us all to play. It is now left to every individual to decide on his/her own pattern of playing. My father didn’t do any other business, which was why he went bankrupt before he passed on. I have learnt a lesson here. Not that I do other businesses, but I have put preventive measures in place as I don’t want to go bankrupt.”
Also, he spoke on his craft as he revealed that he got his strength for theatre from his father while the legendary Tunde Kelani helped him polish his knowledge on pictures and imagery in movie production.
According to him, these experiences have seen him come tops today in the industry.
He said: “As an actor, I learnt through my father that there are several characteristics that make a good actor and discipline is one of them. Also, I learnt that good acting does not only come with physical looks, but inner depth is also important. I learnt from him as a director that the audience will rather see great performances than great pictures.”
On the issues of making movies using the indigenous languages and whether or not this affects the commercial viability of all such movies, Afolayan stressed that it all depends on the movie makers and actors generally.
He said that commercial success depends on the type of performances and contents being put out by actor s and producers more than it is about language differences.
He supported his point using Beninese Grammy-winning star Angelique Kidjo as an example. He stated that she only sings in her local dialect yet has managed to reach the peak of her career.
He said: “I totally agree. Nevertheless, I think the onus lies on those who believe in the craft and in using film as a tool to help keep the heritage and our culture. Angelique has won Grammy three times and she only uses Yoruba and Egun as her main languages.
“Generally, we have to start creating the very content and stories that people want to see and not what we hope they will like. Why are the people so glued to Zee World channel, Windek and all other foreign Telenovelas? It’s simply about how captivating the stories are and how well they use the camera and sound to heighten their tempos. Let’s not even forget that they are all converted from original language to voice dub and people still like them.”
Kunle Afolayan is married to Tolu Afolayan and the couple has three kids.
The 41-year-old is mostly recognized for his works in the acclaimed movies The Figurine: Araromire, Ocotber 1 and Phone Swap.
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He is a renowned actor and movie producer who has often listed his late father, Adeyemi Josiah Afolayan (a foremost entertainer from the 20th century Nigerian movie industy), and iconic producer Tunde Kelani as his mentors.
He was formerly a banker having studied Economics, but he soon discovered his love for the arts hence his switch and then his subsequent training at the New York Film Academy.
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