Veteran filmmaker Tunde Kelani has expressed gratitude as he marks his 77th birthday.
Sharing a photo of himself on Instagram on Wednesday, the revered director, popularly known as TK, acknowledged the people who have played various roles in his life and career.
“A birthday snapshot at 77, sent from afar! I’m in transit and will be with you all in a few days.
“What more can I do than express my deepest gratitude to each of you—my family, friends, colleagues, supporters, benefactors, advisers, investors, coaches, collaborators, creditors, motivators, challengers, admirers, even oppressors (in a good way!), doctors, lawyers, stylists, drivers, cooks, and so many more.
“Above all, we are Ọmọlúwàbí, proud custodians of our culture and heritage. Thank you for being part of this journey. Àá pé fun’ra wa. Ire ni o! TK,” he wrote.
Colleagues in the film industry and fans have flooded his comment section with birthday wishes, with some dedicating posts to him on their pages.
Born in February 1948 in Lagos, Kelani has built a legacy of storytelling deeply rooted in Yoruba culture.
His journey into the arts began with an interest in photography, which he nurtured while attending Oke-Ona Primary School and Abeokuta Grammar School.
He later trained as a cameraman at Western Nigeria Television (WNTV) before studying at the London Film School.
Kelani worked as a correspondent for BBC TV and Reuters in the 1970s, covering major events like the Ethiopian drought and Zimbabwe’s independence.
Upon returning to Nigeria, he co-produced The Dilemma of Rev. Father Michael (Idaamu Paadi Minkailu) with Adebayo Faleti. As a cinematographer, he worked on several 16mm feature films, including Anikura, Ogun Ajaye, Iya Ni Wura, Taxi Driver, Iwa and Fopomoyo.
In 1991, he founded Mainframe Film and Television Productions, focusing on films that celebrate Nigerian culture.
His directorial debut under Mainframe, Ti Oluwa Ni Ile (1993), remains a classic in Yoruba cinema. Kelani has since adapted numerous literary works into films, collaborating with respected Nigerian authors. His other notable films include Kòseégbé (1995), O Le Ku (1997), Saworoide (1999), Thunderbolt: Magun (2001), Agogo Eèwò (2002), The Campus Queen (2004), Abeni (2006), The Narrow Path (2006), Arugba (2008), Maami (2011), Dazzling Mirage (2014) and Ayinla (2021), a biopic on Apala music legend Ayinla Omowura.
