TK's intriguing search for a virtuous lady. - Nigerian Movies & Nollywood on Naijarules.com

praizes2000 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 10:25 PM

TK’s intriguing search for a virtuous lady
By Akeem Lasisi

What an intriguing way for the celebrated cinematographer and film producer, Tunde Kelani, to demonstrate that it is professionalism above every other thing that makes the difference in the world of Art. When the CEO of Main Frame Productions clocked 60 two Tuesdays ago, he yet stuck to his camera, shooting his new film, Arugba. The work, which, he says, is going to mark a new era in his filmmaking career, is being shot in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, where he surrounds himself with an array of top movie stars and some newly found talents.

Although a group of his fans, admirers and colleagues have trooped to the ancient town where they tracked him down for a modest but symbolic celebration, achieving the vision he has for Arugba appears to be paramount on his mind.

“It’s quite a coincidence that Arugba is being shot at this time I have clocked 60,” he explains. “Everything I had done previously belongs to an era, which has now lapsed. I am starting a new era now. This is the era that will register our migrating into a more advanced level in film production. It will tap into modern technology and other aspects of films. It is an amazing coincidence that the era is taking off on the occasion of my birthday.”

As his previous numbers such as O le Ku, Saworo Ide, and The Narrow Path have demonstrated, TK, as Kelani is popularly called, loves going for topical issues. For him, a rich story is the starting point in successful film delivery. Hence, he at times digs into written texts as he did with Akinwumi Ishola’s O le Ku and Bayo Adebowale’s The Virgin. Like any of these, Arugba is also built on a significantly cultural story.

Developing from the votary maiden tradition of a virgin girl who bears objects of worship for a particular god or goddess – as is popularly done for Yeye Osun, the Osun Osogbo goddess - Arugba is the story of a modern day heroine leading a procession. She is followed by thousands of people in search of identity, nationhood and succour. But the original story definitely has to change along the line since the Arugba and those who repose confidence in her in the film have changed.

“Beyond the conventional challenge of bearing the objects of worship, several other issues are involved,” Kelani notes. “It has also got to do with child survival, awareness on HIV/AIDS problems and even governance.”

He adds that the film was inspired by a documentary that Mainframes had earlier done on the Osun Osogbo’s Arugba. But while the documentary centred on the votary maiden too, the film has defamiliarised its characteristics. For instance, while the previous Arugba was a secondary school student, the one in the movie has been developed into an undergraduate who exudes elements of the totality of her environment.

Kelani’s search for the heroine was indeed very intriguing. Originally, he needs a virgin who is beautiful, articulate and very resourceful. But, as if nature was bent on playing pranks on him, the first two ladies he penciled down for the job were knocked out by pregnancy!

TK would not want to reveal the identity of the two ladies. But when pressed by our correspondent, who asked him to confirm the information he had got that the ladies involved were sensational talking drummer Ara and acclaimed actress Omotola Jolade-Ekeinde, he went ahead to do so.

“If you already know them, I think I don’t need to conceal the information anymore,” TK explains. “I later found out that Ara is in Iceland expecting a baby. The second person I decided to approach was Omotola. But I discovered she is also heavy.’

That was how the search took him to Bukola Awoyemi who, though is not as celebrated as the two, also exudes the features needed for Arugba. But by the time TK approached her, it had become more or less a prayer that she would not have got pregnant too. He celebrates the successful discovery with a little joke.

“When I decided to try Bukola Awoyemi, my first question for her was: Are you pregnant?” he says. “Because, coincidentally again, Osun is a goddess of fertility. It must have been doing a great work in the lives of our ladies.”

The Arugba, who hails from Kwara State and graduated from the University of Ilorin had been part of Mainframe’s audition before, but “we did not discover her earlier. Now, she has developed beautifully in relation to what it takes to play Arugba.”

While the founder of Crown Troupe of Africa, Segun Adefila, is also featuring, another important personality acting in Arugba is the consummate dancer, Peter Badejo (OBE), who is currently on location from his England base. From Benin Republic is also Akanbi Akala.

Beyond that, the cast reflects our usual mix - Kareem Adepoju (Baba Wande), Lere Paimo, Dele Odule etc. Kabirat and Ayisat Kafifipe are also part of the treat.

The film that will first be produced on high definition is expected to be premiered by May 29 to mark Nigeria’s Democracy Day.

Is Omotola heavy with another child again? And here to say Happy 60th Birthday to one of the men behind quality movies in Naija and more grease to his elbow (TK of Mainframe Productions).

vince · #2 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 09:58 AM

Huh?OmoT is pregnant again?What a pity!OmoT's fans would've loved her in a TK movie so so much!And God knows that she needs a script like this right now,and TK is the kind of filmmaker that she should be working with on the regular.
What a miss!

peculiar · #3 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 10:13 AM

TK is 60 years old????

Simisola · #4 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 10:16 AM

Mercy Johnson would be good for that role.

So, Omosexy don chop 'ogede didun' again. No wonder her 'haters inc' have been yabbing her about her weight.

peculiar · #5 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simisola

Mercy Johnson would be good for that role.

So, Omosexy don chop 'ogede didun' again. No wonder her 'haters inc' have been yabbing her about her weight.

DOes Mercy speak yoruba?

I think the homvie is a yoruba movie o, Simi?

vince · #6 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simisola

Mercy Johnson would be good for that role.

Really?Mercy in a role like that?

vince · #7 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peculiar

DOes Mercy speak yoruba?

I think the homvie is a yoruba movie o, Simi?

She speaks perfect yoruba,pecs.Mercy na proper omo eko.Besides she has been in a couple of YMG flicks.

Simisola · #8 (**permalink**) 03-12-2008, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vince

Really?Mercy in a role like that?

en en, nothing wrong with that now. She's young and quite versatile. I think it's about time that our movie practitioners start digging into 'unusual resources'. I'm sure she'll be good in it.