Actress Regina Askia has talked about Awarun, the character played by Sola Sobowale in Kunle Afolayan’s film Anikulapo.
Set in the 17th-century Oyo kingdom and directed by Kunle Afolayan, Anikulapo is the story of Saro, a travelling cloth weaver, who had a relationship with an older woman named Awarun.
Awarun, a businesswoman who runs a ceramics factory, promised to take care of Saro and help him build a business of his own. She also recommended him to the royal family to become the royal clothe weaver.
Things, however, turned sour when Saro got jealous of Awarun’s independence and sexual relationship with another man, prompting him to begin an affair with the Alaafin’s youngest wife Queen Arolake, leading to his death.
A bird brought him back to life, leaving behind a gourd with the power to raise the dead. Arolake who attacked the bird after it had saved Saro, picked the gourd and nursed Saro back to health.
Speaking about Sola’s character in the film, a curious Regina wondered how Awarun knew Saro had died, she also asked if Awarun was also the mystical bed that brought Saro to life.
She wrote: “@Awarun #anikulapp. Fantastic!! Many questions tho! Part 2 coming up? How did Awarun sense Osaro had died? Was Awarun the black smoke bird? Was Awarun even the runaway Olori who loved Osaro? The story of the gourd needs to be told. Thank you for another excellent delivery.”
