I don’t know why they give me sexy roles – Bimbo Akintola - Nigerian Movies & Nollywood on Naijarules.com

Simisola · #1 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 10:30 AM

Following her memorable outing in Tade Ogidan’s award winning movie, Owo Blow, and Richard Mofe-Damijo’s Out of Bound, delectable actress, Bimbo Akintola became a sought-after act for most Nigerian filmmakers.

In fact, her roles in the two movies fetched her the 1999 Best Actress from the stables of Reel Awards. She has since featured prominently in most Nollywood movies, playing lustful roles with a heart-warming sensuality that is quite exciting as it is subtly wild.

At the just concluded Zuma International Film Festival in Abuja, Akintola again clinched the coveted Elsie Olusola’s Best Actress Prize, beating two others with her outstanding role in a movie tagged: Senseless. Her success came on the heels of Festival Director, Edmund Peters,’ declaration that ZUMA 2008 was aimed at discovering new and emerging talents among whom Akintola is a leading figure.

Although she was not physically present in Abuja to receive the award, the Unibadan-trained theatre artiste added yet another feather to her cap in her acting career. Her victory, along with others who won in diverse categories and from different backgrounds, vindicated the theme, Films Without Borders, which Afolabi Adesanya, Managing Director and Chairman Organising Committee, described as “a synergy of creative energies towards a desirable harmony that will connect global film productions to the mutual benefit of mankind’’.

Acting for Bimbo Abiola Bukola Aina Onoyigbe Mary-Ann Akintola, the third child in a family of six comes naturally.

Born to a Muslim cleric father and mother who is into business, Bimbo is an easy going theatre personality. She likes company; loves reading and singing. But she has a phobia for dogs and reptiles. It was while attending the Maryland Convent Private School for her primary education, that it all started.

As pupils, Bimbo and her peers acted for the school's end-of-year drama events. The more she took part in plays, the greater her passion for acting. So, when she got into Command Day Secondary School, Lagos, acting became for her, an easy kill.

In fact, her passion for acting took her to study Theatre Arts; even against her father’s wish. She said: "My father didn't want me to act at all. He wanted me to study Law or Medicine. He is a very protective person and so he did all he could to discourage me. But I held on to my dream because I have always had a great love for acting. I took the decision because I never saw myself doing anything else. I felt I would be happier as an actor even though my father thought it wasn't the right kind of profession for me. But today, I am happy that he is pleased with what I am doing. In fact, he is my most ardent fan". But well before her graduation at the University of Ibadan, Bimbo had been involved in a number of stage productions.

"I had been doing many stage productions while in school and had even done one or two movie and television productions. I had my time filled up with acting while in Ibadan until a friend (Bassey Okon - an actor) came and invited me to Lola Fani- Kayode's audition in Lagos. Lola was recruiting actors for her soap, Mind Bending.

"Well, I got there, read and Auntie Lola found me fit and gave me a role. After that, Niyi Wuraola, who worked on the set of that soap invited me again to participate in another audition. This time, it was in Tade Ogidan's award winning movie: Owo Blow. He was recruiting talents for the movie, so I was invited for audition. I went there auditioned and got a role in the movie’’ explained Bimbo.

On a number of negative reactions to her roles, the actress had this to say: "At the time I acted in Out of Bound, I was paid well. I think the way I cope with people's reaction is different. Mostly, when people come up to me to comment or to complain, I just listen. If I am less busy, I would take time to explain details to them.

"For me, it's that part of acting which I have to cope with. It's not something that I am fond of but I have got used to it in a way. I have learnt to live with people's interpretation of the roles I play in movies. Oh! Some people said I overacted and that it was over exaggerated.’’

Bimbo explained further that much as her involvement in that movie swelled her bank accounts by a few thousands, it also came with some negative reactions.

Nevertheless, she described her performance in Out of Bounds and Widows as her most challenging works. She picked the two out of a long list of movie credits including Owo Blow, The Gardener, The Contractors, Back To Life, Armada, Diamond Ring, Temi ni Toto, Husband and Wife, Heart and Soul and Ejemi.

Asked to draw a line between her real person and her role in movies, Akintola said: “I haven't done much on stage recently but I did one with Chuck Mike sometimes ago. It was entitled: Death and the Maiden. The cast was made up of three characters - Bimbo Manuel, Keppy Ekpeyong and I. Oh!, that play wrecked me. I haven't had it that terrible before. In fact, I swore after the production that I wasn't going to take up such a very complex script any longer. I couldn't just lay hold on the character. The character I played went through a whole lot of emotions, which I could not easily comprehend. It wasn't just like the role I played in Widows or even the role I played in Out Of Bounds. I could relate with these easily without going through the kind of mental torture I went through trying to find meaning to my role in Death and the Maiden.

Meanwhile, the actress absolved herself of blame for playing sleazy roles. Rather, she blamed producers who would insist on having her play such roles. "Please help me ask them (producers) why they cast me for such roles...I act for a living and would pick up a script once I believe that what I am going to do is right before me and all those around me. But I have taken up roles outside that and no one has commented… I am an actress and I would accept roles, so far it is right and someone is ready to pick up the bills'.

Bimbo also disclosed the source of her inspiration and her role models “ I derive inspiration from God...from myself, Bimbo and, from Joke Silva. Oh, I love that woman. She is one damn good actress. She is exceptionally creative. I long to star with her in a stage or screen production. Oh, she is lovely. I have a lot of respect for her just as I have for Auntie Toun Oni, Mama Buki Ajayi and the big one of them all, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett".

I don’t know why they give me sexy roles – Bimbo Akintola

vince · #2 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 12:10 PM

She can't escape sexy roles,at all.YMG producers are just bombarding her with them,poor her.She deserves much more challenging roles.

Pretty Girl · #3 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vince

She can't escape sexy roles,at all.YMG producers are just bombarding her with them,poor her.She deserves much more challenging roles.

Really? Sexy roles in YMG?

Abeg Vince, can you name a few that she featured in?

Just finding it difficult to believe.

Abike · #4 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 12:35 PM

Lol @ Pg!

Thickmadam · #5 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 04:02 PM

She's a good actress, sexy roles or not.
she's good.

vince · #6 (**permalink**) 05-21-2008, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pretty Girl

Really? Sexy roles in YMG?

Abeg Vince, can you name a few that she featured in?

Just finding it difficult to believe.

A YMG homvie called,BUKATA,comes to mind.Look for it.There are quite a number of others in which she had to dress seductively and play the loose xter.That is just about what sexy roles mean in nollywood,EMG or YMG.Female xters with short skirts,tight bodyhugging tops,knee high leather stilleto boots,dripping lipstick,crazy looking hairdos,and a cigarette between the fingers,who go about seducing aristos or rich boys for money.The classic nollywood seductive vamp cliche.

Atlakos · #7 (**permalink**) 05-21-2008, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thickmadam

She's a good actress, sexy roles or not.
she's good.

She is not just 'good' - she is an excellent actress and A Lister in my books, yet very underrated and never seem to be given great lead roles. Once again producers/directors finding it mighty hard to challenge great talent.

I wish to see her in more lead roles and diverse roles. In many movies i saw her i thought she was 'great', then i saw her in one movie with muna obiekwe where she played munas mother (oh gosh some one remind me- its at the tip of my tongue). Classic movie where her character was challenged and showcase diversity in her abilities. Thats when i knew she was not just great, but an excellent actress. Love to watch her act and everything. She is a joy to watch and even listen speak. I wonder why she fellback on the EMGs movies. I bet she got tired of being given supporting roles instead of lead roles. I dont blame her. Tchidi- Emem -Lancelot, abeg write a great script for this lady, she is definately worth it.

Thickmadam · #8 (**permalink**) 05-21-2008, 08:39 AM

you're right, she is great.
i fell in love with her in Keeping Faith.
I mean, when she went to beg RMD's character, i was practically on my knees with her begging him too, and her face when she left, when she realized that he wasn't going to listen? ahhhh!

i've seen her play a number of roles and nail them: i think Mamush?? where she played a sister to Desmond, and in my opinion she nailed the character, playful concerned sister.

abeg let me follow you and beg Tchidi, Emem Isong, please cast her in one of your movies abeg. AS A LEAD.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlakos

She is not just 'good' - she is an excellent actress and A Lister in my books, yet very underrated and never seem to be given great lead roles. Once again producers/directors finding it mighty hard to challenge great talent.

I wish to see her in more lead roles and diverse roles. In many movies i saw her i thought she was 'great', then i saw her in one movie with muna obiekwe where she played munas mother (oh gosh some one remind me- its at the tip of my tongue). Classic movie where her character was challenged and showcase diversity in her abilities. Thats when i knew she was not just great, but an excellent actress. Love to watch her act and everything. She is a joy to watch and even listen speak. I wonder why she fellback on the EMGs movies. I bet she got tired of being given supporting roles instead of lead roles. I dont blame her. Tchidi- Emem -Lancelot, abeg write a great script for this lady, she is definately worth it.

blackbutterfly · #9 (**permalink**) 05-21-2008, 10:10 AM

She is truly UNDERRATED. She is one of my favorite actresses in Nollywood, I'd rather see more of her than the ones they bombard us with and I ain't calling out noone before the gates of fanatic hell begins to prevail upon this response. She is eloquent, subtle and full of screen presence as well as charm. I don't know about "sexy" roles but then again I don't watch YMG movies...in the English movies I've seen her in she wasn't a sex pot except for maybe Keeping the Faith.

Pretty Girl · #10 (**permalink**) 05-24-2008, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlakos

She is not just 'good' - she is an excellent actress and A Lister in my books, yet very underrated and never seem to be given great lead roles. Once again producers/directors finding it mighty hard to challenge great talent.

I wish to see her in more lead roles and diverse roles. In many movies i saw her i thought she was 'great', then i saw her in one movie with muna obiekwe where she played munas mother (oh gosh some one remind me- its at the tip of my tongue). Classic movie where her character was challenged and showcase diversity in her abilities. Thats when i knew she was not just great, but an excellent actress. Love to watch her act and everything. She is a joy to watch and even listen speak. I wonder why she fellback on the EMGs movies. I bet she got tired of being given supporting roles instead of lead roles. I dont blame her. Tchidi- Emem -Lancelot, abeg write a great script for this lady, she is definately worth it.

The name of the movie I'm guessing it to be is "A Prize to Pay"

kolinzo · #11 (**permalink**) 05-24-2008, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vince

A YMG homvie called,BUKATA,comes to mind.Look for it.There are quite a number of others in which she had to dress seductively and play the loose xter.That is just about what sexy roles mean in nollywood,EMG or YMG.Female xters with short skirts,tight bodyhugging tops,knee high leather stilleto boots,dripping lipstick,crazy looking hairdos,and a cigarette between the fingers,who go about seducing aristos or rich boys for money.The classic nollywood seductive vamp cliche.

There is this ymg movie, which I can't remember the name right now, where she played Eda's daughter-in-law (Muka ray was the husband) who couldn't keep her legs closed, always looking for action -nympho. Yep, she did the loose thing very well. But my favorite part of that movie was when her husband told her:

Husband: wo, m'o se mo (Look, I no dey gbensh again)
Her: Ah wa se ni o (Ah, you go do am o)
Husband: Moni m'o se mo se (I say I no dey gbensh again)
Her: Wa se ni se (You must gbensh me o).

That scene was hilarious I was rolling on the floor!!

Omoye · #12 (**permalink**) 05-25-2008, 03:50 AM

she is an excellent actress, absolutely love her aura and how she carries her self. i hope she get better roles, and i rather watch her movies than the amatures that are being featured these days, who do not know left from right.

vince · #13 (**permalink**) 05-26-2008, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kolinzo

There is this ymg movie, which I can't remember the name right now, where she played Eda's daughter-in-law (Muka ray was the husband) who couldn't keep her legs closed, always looking for action -nympho. Yep, she did the loose thing very well. But my favorite part of that movie was when her husband told her:

Husband: wo, m'o se mo (Look, I no dey gbensh again)
Her: Ah wa se ni o (Ah, you go do am o)
Husband: Moni m'o se mo se (I say I no dey gbensh again)
Her: Wa se ni se (You must gbensh me o).

That scene was hilarious I was rolling on the floor!!

I think Bimbo is well and truly established in YMG.Only producers like Tade Ogidan,Kingsley Ogoro,and Amaka Igwe can dig up the right EMG script that can do justice to her talent.And since these producers are hardly present in EMG nollywood nowadays,we won't be seeing much of her in that sector.

iuwa · #14 (**permalink**) 05-26-2008, 08:11 AM

They give her sexy roles because she is sexy woman. However, she is a very good actress too. She has a lot of range unlike some other actresses.