Nollywood actress and producer, Abolanle Abdulsalam, made a switch from English Language to Yoruba when she found her opportunities limited. In this interview with Bisola Bello, the Oba Adetoyese star opened up on some of the things that happen behind the camera.
How did acting begin for you?
I got into the industry in 2004 with English Language movies but crossed in 2008 to the Yoruba movie section. I have produced five movies of my own. I am currently working on the sixth one.
Why did you decide to leave the English sector for Yoruba?
I left basically because of the discrimination in the industry. We have more Igbo in the English sector and they tend to discriminate if you are not one of them. It is very difficult for a Yoruba person to have a strong hold in the industry. Since I am a Yoruba girl, I just thought why not just go with a sector that I can relate to and belong.
How has it been since you moved to the Yoruba industry?
Honestly, it has not been easy. It was hell when I eventually got into the Yoruba movie industry through my late boss Alade Aromire. I bought a form along with about 5000 other people to enter into the industry. I remember clearly we had a project in Osun State for about six weeks for a traditional movie. It was so very stressful to the extent that some actors lost their lives to the project. Most people just could not survive it because of the stress that comes with acting. Some people ended up quitting. When you look at all these things, you realise it has not been a bed of roses.
Did the experience make you think of quitting?
I say all the time that life is not fair. I know what I wanted to do and I was determined to do it till the end. After moving from English to Yoruba, it would not have made sense if I just decided to quit. It is my dream.
What are the challenges you have faced since you entered the industry?
Well, I will say the major challenge I have faced can be attributed to the distractions that are in the industry.
What are these distractions?
For example, your producers are making you feel less of yourself. Because you are trying to make ends meet, they look at you with disgust and say “who is she, she is just coming up, we cannot use her.” If they decide to use you, you have to do some things. Unfortunately for them, I am an Ekiti girl. I am a disciplinarian. What I don’t want, I don’t want. I never pretend. Our industry does not want that. They want a coward, someone that will dance to their tune.
Are you saying that the news about actresses sleeping with producers and others are true?
100% true. I don’t even think that is news. It happens everywhere; in the banking sector and what have you. Wherever there are two people of different sex, it is bound to happen. The only thing is in our industry people take advantage of the situation and tell you if you don’t do this you can’t make it. That is why people that do not really like it or cannot stand it quit. These days it is even worse because everybody wants to do anything to get to the top. Now it is a norm in the industry. It doesn’t mean anything to 95% of people in the industry. It is only the few that have good background that do not engage in the act.
Has that hindered your progress in anyway?
Somebody that does not know what she really wants might think in that direction but I believe in destiny. I am a Muslim. I believe in the Quran and the Hadith. What will be will be. No matter how tough the journey might be, you will become whatever God has destined you to be. I don’t think me not doing that have hindered my progress. I think I am where I am supposed to be. I will not say there have not been obstacles, but with the help of my husband and family, their encouragement and financial support, I have been able to scale through.
Would you say the English speaking sector of Nollywood is better than the Yoruba?
The Nigerian movie industry itself has a bad market. That I would say. The thing is the English sector knows the market is bad and they have reduced their productions but the Yoruba industry despite knowing this, we keep producing. Everybody knows that you cannot make your money in the industry. If you invest two naira, you cannot make back two naira. All the ladies in the industry are getting their money outside the industry, maybe through personal business. So, because most of them do not want to run at a loss, they tell marketers to give them money to produce. The downside of this is those marketers only accept to do this if you can meet the requirements, and we all know what the requirements are. Basically, the movie industry is now an avenue for ladies to advertise their products which is their body. I believe we in the Yoruba industry need to start seeing ourselves as practitioners, so that we know how well to grow the industry.
Why did you decide to stay despite knowing all these things?
It’s a chance for me to do what I love. I love acting so much that I don’t think anything can stop me from pursuing my dream.
Your movie, Oba Adetoyese, won several awards; did you expect it to do that well?
Honestly, I did. Because from the scriptwriting process I put in my best to make sure I did something different from your everyday movie. I did it in a way that was so natural to enable the cast interpret the role very well. From the moment I was writing the story I already envisioned a cast for it. I think that enabled the movie to get close to perfection. And if a movie is good, it should get nominations and awards.
Did you make money from the movie?
Like I said, the market is very bad; so bad. A friend called me that my movie is about a million views on YouTube. I should have like a Rolls Royce now. I just kept laughing because most people don’t understand how bad the market is here.
Actors are complaining that marketers owe money; have you experienced such?
In business when you are not making profit, you are bound to owe. So that is just it. It is true they owe. It is happening. But I still say it is not their fault because the market is very bad.
Do you think your religion has influenced your career and the roles you choose to play?
Yes, very well. Apart from that I think of where I come from. My place is very far from Lagos. I am from Ekiti State, which is about five hours journey. So I have to look back and say if I do these how will my family feel.
Can you tell us about your sixth movie which you are working on at the moment?
It is titled Egbin. We are still in the pre-production stage but we will definitely enter production stage very soon.
