For almost three decades, Funsho Adeolu has devoted his whole life to his first love: acting. No wonder, he is one of the celebrated crossover actors in the nation’s movie industry, otherwise called Nollywood. The father of two, who is also a singer, shot into the limelight after he featured in a soap opera titled Palace. In this interview with DUPE AYINLA-OLASUNKANMI, he talks about his career and marriage, among other issues.
WHAT have you been doing lately? I’m an actor and I am also into directing. I am not a producer; so, basically, I have been acting. I do more of professional stuff.
Most of your colleagues are also into movie productions. So, why are you different?
It is only in the Yoruba movie genre that this happens. I am a professional. But because most of them do not understand the difference between an actor and a producer, everyone goes into production. Some think that is the only way they can be recognised, while others feel they can make more money through it. I was brought up from the scratch. The training I had then is: if you want to be a producer, it is a different thing. And if you want to do all the three, it shouldn’t be because everybody is doing it. They don’t even make as much money as we make as actors.
Are you saying that for one to be a producer, one has to quit acting?
No. I’m only saying that if you want to be a producer, you have to be a trained person. If you are not trained, then, you must have a purpose for wanting to do it. It should not be a case of everybody is doing it and then you also want to do it. In the English movie sector, you will notice that everybody is not doing that. But it is majorly in the Yoruba movie genre because they want to be known or the producers are not featuring them in their movies. Also, they believe that if you don’t produce, you have not got to the big level. Somebody like me can’t be producing because I can’t do something below my standard; I can just spend money on a project and it does not go well. The industry now is not conducive for me to produce a movie. So, if I end up spending big money on a movie and the marketers tell me any ‘story’ then, it is bad market.
If we have the new ones producing in the name of fame, what are people like you doing to retain the dignity of the industry?
I only get to talk to the ones who are close to me. It is unfortunate. But because I have those who look up to me, I try to make them understand the rudiments of the job. Our association is not encouraging at all and it is sad because they feel that you must be a producer to be recognised. They see it as a child going through the stages of life: going to the secondary school, going to the higher institution and then getting married. So, it is like that here. There is no platform for them to understand those things.
Why has the association not provided an academy for them to train these young ones?
There is no such thing and that is the reason we have them churning out rubbish as movies. The only way they can understand that they are part of the industry is to produce a movie someday. Even abroad, some do these things together, but it is not compulsory. But the major thing is we do not have an association right now that can tackle such a problem. What I am saying, in essence, is that we don’t have an umbrella.
But there is a new association now…
(Cuts in) What is the new association about? It is just the break-away of the same set of people in ANTP. So, we still have the same set of people in the new association.
Are you saying you do not belong to any association?
I am an actor. I was part of the ANTP when it was still in existence. I am also a member of LAMTAP, AGN and I did not disassociate from them. It is not compulsory for me to be a member of the ANTP. For some people, if you are an actor and you can speak any language, you can belong to any of the associations. I am a member of the AGN, though I speak Yoruba. We have some people in the AGN who are also acting in Yoruba movies too. What we need is a body that will cover Nigeria. All these associations will not help. The more they emerge, the more trouble. So, that is the reason nobody wants to be under anybody; rather, they all want to be oga on their own. Yet, they are all doing the same thing.
There was a period you seemed to have stayed away from the Yoruba movie sector. What happened during that period?
But I am sure you are still seeing me in soaps. My job is to act and I am doing that. It does not really matter the ones that I appear in. People are always saying that. But I am on location every week and there is no month I don’t get work, even now that I have decided to do more of soaps.
Why the decision to do more of soaps at this stage of your career?
For me, soaps are greater education and are more rewarding, in terms of finance.
Having spent many years in the industry, how have you been able to stay out of scandals?
Well, I really can’t say. I am a very flexible person. I am also someone who does not believe in the present, but the future. I cannot do something now that I know will affect my future 10 years from now. My name is more important than fame and money. I also cannot do something that will affect my children’s future. I want them and my other generations to look back and be able to be associated with the name when I am no more. I don’t think of what I want to gain now in everything I do. Rather, I consider what I intend to do now.
With your looks, are you saying there have not been temptations from the opposite sex?
The temptations do not come from my own side; it can only come from the women. But I don’t know what they can offer me that will make me fall. I am too focused to allow such things catch my attention. If you are giving me something or offering me something, then it must be what I am working for and not just on a platter of gold. I am not the materialistic type, so you cannot entice me with money. I am satisfied with what I have worked for. Even before I got married, I was principled. Coping with advances from female fans is a regular event in everybody’s life. But God has been helping me to scale through. I don’t get carried away because all that glitters is not gold. They either stay as fans and friends or they go away.
Having been married for a decade, what would you say is the secret of your successful union?
I would say God and understanding. Maybe because before I got married, we started with God. So, that is the reason we have been able to sustain it this far. I think it is the reason one expects what is happening in the industry now. So, I am really not surprised when I hear of them. I am not saying I am happy it is happening, but how can you marry someone you don’t know? Somebody comes from abroad with money and then you just go ahead and marry such a person, when you don’t know what he is doing over there. And most times, these guys make a bet that they will get a particular lady. It is not as if they are in love. Even outside the industry, it is like that. Marriage is a learning process. But in all, it is God.
Marriage is like a training ground and you learn every day. It is a school, where you are taught so many things like perseverance and the ability to understand people, most especially your wife. It has the ability to change your outlook and behavioural pattern. One has to be very careful and hold on to one’s marriage, no matter the situation. You should know that whatever happens is just temporary; the resolution comes with compromise and understanding. Couples should endeavour to communicate because it is very important. If you feel bad about something, discuss it with your spouse and let it go.
Have you been in a situation where your wife quarrelled with you over a female fan?
Never! She is used to that. Besides, I had been acting before we met. She is also a popular person. So, such things do not really get to her.
I know you are also into music. But have you considered doing it professionally?
It is just a hobby; I just love to sing and dance. Even if I plan to do something with it, it is not for the monetary gain. So, it is just for fun. If I wanted to do it since, I would have made more money in it than acting. But I can’t do two things at a time.
Your role in the movie, Cobweb, has been described as outstanding. What makes that role different?
Well, as an actor, when you are given a script, you want to do your best. It was the director who called me and not even Foluke (Daramola), the producer of the movie. He insisted that he saw something in me. You know, when somebody has so much confidence in you, you don’t want to go below his expectations. That was what happened in that movie. And again, any role I am being given, I do it to the best of my ability because I don’t know who will be watching. It might be the first time of seeing me, so I must do it right.
Aside acting, are you into other engagements?
I do anything entertainment, from MCing to presenting; so, I am booked every weekend.
What is your opinion on artistes who have been linked to one scandal or another being appointed brand ambassadors?
They are just acting with the way Nigeria is at the moment. Everybody is a thief and fraudster. As somebody said: “A truthful person cannot survive.” You just have to join them before you can be given a chance. But for somebody like me, I have decided to be good for myself and not Nigeria. This is because I know that someday, Nigeria will see the good in the people doing good.
For those getting endorsements with such qualities, maybe the companies feel they are the people that the public read about; so, they prefer to use them. All I know is that if you know how to do good, just continue. You see, endorsements will come and you will spend the money. But the good life will always come from God.
Is any of your children taking after you?
Well, my first boy loves singing and dancing and he is doing pretty good at it. But if he wants to be an actor, he can go ahead.
But would you encourage him, with your opinion about the industry?
If the industry was not good, I would have quit. So many things are happening in the industry and I can say it is one of the best things that can happen to you as an actor because you will be there forever if you are good. The bad time will be there and when the good times also come, you will still be there, except you are not good. So, I will encourage him to go into it, if he likes it.
