Like father, like son’ is a popular adage and this is the story of Kunle Afolayan, son of the late film maker and producer popularly known as Ade Love.
After working for some years as a banker, the dark skinned dude found his way back into acting, a thing that can be said to be a family profession.
Kunle AfolayanOver the years, he has not only proved to be a very good actor and film maker but has continued to live the legacy his late father Adeyemi Afolayan (A.k.a. Ade love) left behind. Saying he is the chip of the old block is definitely very true because he has acting and film- making running through his veins. In this encounter, Kunle spoke on his strategies to actualize positive changes in the Nigerian entertainment industry and how he has been able to prove a point through ‘Irapada.’
He also told us how he unwinds by hanging out with friends and drinking responsibly.
What prompted you to leave a promising banking career for the entertainment industry?
I left banking because I had a new vision and more so I was born into entertainment and at some point I realized that the whole system is deteriorating and there is need for a revolution and the only people who can actually turn things around are guys like us, young people like myself and the other people of like minds out there. So that is the reason I actually quit the promising banking job for entertainment.
So far, how has it been?
Well we thank God, we eat three meals a day and we can still afford to feed the family.
Are you married?
Yes . And I have kids.
So how is marriage treating you?
Well, I’ve been coping and I thank God for the fact that he has given me a beautiful and understanding wife and he has blessed me with beautiful children and that’s enough for me to always give thanks to God for.
What are you working on right now?
I run a small Television and film production outfit and it’s called Golden Effect Services Limited. After I turned in my resignation letter in City Express Bank, I was home for a while to do research as regards to the next step to take. After my mind was made up, I went to a film school and when I came back, I set up this outfit.
Golden Effect is young, just about two years old and we have been struggling to be able to put our feet on the ground. We have done a bit of collaboration with other entertainment outfits and we’ve also shot a movie which is the talk of the town in Nigeria and I think is one of the best films ever produced in this country.
It’s titled ‘Irapada’. Since last year, we have been trying to see how we can promote the film to a higher level. The film has been everywhere. It’s been premiered in UK, it’s been premiered in America and it’s been premiered at home. Right now, we are working towards putting it on home video.
This notion that female actresses sleep with producers and directors to get roles, how true is it?
That I don’t know, because I’ve never been a victim and I don’t think anybody will come out and say that Kunle Afolayan tried to abuse, seduce or ask for sex to get roles from me. I believe in bringing up new faces.
In our film, Irapada, we auditioned and fifty percent of the cast happen to be new faces, upcoming actors and actresses. I’ve never experienced that, so whether it’s true or not, I don’t know, I can only speak for myself.
Your performance at the Celebrity takes two was awesome, what prompted you to it?
When I was approached, I realized it was a nice concept and it was something new. But when the organizers came to me, I didn’t want to do it because I didn’t have the time, I was so busy at that time but I was convinced to believe that the shooting plan is quite flexible, that I can actually plan and decide when I want to do my own shoot, but I later realized that it was not as easy. You have to rehearse like everyday and we shoot every week and most of the time.
I was out of the country because of the project I was doing, I have to hurry back and rehearse for a day or two. It was a good idea and if I have the opportunity of doing it again, I will do it because it created an avenue for me to ease tension and for one to meet with new people and get better known.
It gave me some mileage in terms of publicity and that was great.
Can you now say that being a part of that show boosted your career?
Yes, it did because I was able to advertise Irapada, because most of the time when I rehearse, I wear Irapada T-shirt and most times I’m asked to talk about what I do, I talk about Irapada. It’s great. It really helped in terms of publicity.
Being a movie star, can you recall any embarrassing moment you’ve been faced with?
I can’t remember any. As an actor, you get embarrassed a lot of times by area boys . But I don’t take such seriously so, I just put them behind me. I don’t look back, I just look forward to the future. But, I can’t recollect any right now.
Being a married man, how do you handle female fans?
I handle them in the best way possible. I show appreciation whether, you’re good looking or not. As an actor, you will get appreciated by people. It’s an individual thing depending on who you are. I’m the type that regardless of my profession, I’m a jolly fellow, I go out there and have fun, and that way people can’t really pin-point when you’re serious or not.
I’m just friends with everybody and careful about it. Show appreciation and that is it.
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