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Tag: Tope Tedela

  • ‘What Lies Within’ shines at BON Awards 2017

    ‘What Lies Within’ shines at BON Awards 2017

    What Lies Within,’ produced by the trio of Paul Utomi, Tope Tedela and Vanessa Nzediegwu, trumped other movies to cart home the awards for the Movie of the Year, Best Actress for the lead actress, Mitchell Dede; Best Director and Best Editor for the co-producer, Nzediegwu, at the Best of Nollywood Awards held last Saturday at the Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

    Released in September 2017, ‘What Lies Within’ chronicles a day in the life of two women, Fiona (Mitchell Dede) and Ireti (Nzediegwu) who are unwittingly thrust into an incident that has far reaching consequences on their lives and those of their loved ones.

    “Making ‘What Lies Within’ wasn’t easy but directing it was quite an experience,” said Nzediegwu at the event,

    “We tried to tell a simple and enjoyable story that explores quite a few themes and we are glad at the reception and raves it has been getting.”

    Bolanle Ninalowo also received an award for Best Actor in a Lead Role for his role in ‘Picture Perfect’ written and produced by Biodun Stephens. The movie went on to win the award for Best Use of Nigerian Food in a movie.

    For the trio of Katherine Obiang, Kate Henshaw and Omoni Oboli, it was the joint statuette for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for their roles in the critically acclaimed box office hit, ‘The Women,’ that came their way. Produced by Blessing Egbe, ‘The Women’ also won the award for Movie with the Best Screenplay.

    Nollywood’s most controversial movie, ‘Behind the Wheels,’ which became famous for its action sequence and fire stunt pulled by Ani Iyoho, won the categories for Best Actor in a Supporting Role (English) for Kelechi Udegbe; Movie with the Best Social Message and Movie with the Best Special Effect. Not surprisingly, comedian, AY’s ‘A Trip to Jamaica’ won the Best Comedy Movie and Movie with the Best Cinematography.

    Other winners include Jumoke Odetola for Best Actress in a Lead Role (Yoruba); Niyi Johnson Best Actor in a Lead Role (Yoruba), Gabriel Afolayan Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Yoruba) and Tim Ebuka, Best Actor in a Lead Role (Igbo). Yvonne Enakhana and Timini Egbuson won The Revelation of the Year (Female and Male Respectively).

    Anchored by Segun Arinze, this year’s BON Awards was hosted by the Ogun State government. Though he made a whistle-stop visit at the venue, Governor Ibikunle Amosun was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa; Chief of Staff, Chief Tolu Odebiyi; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Suraj Adekunbi and Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dayo Adeneye, among other top government functionaries commissioners.

    Seun Oloketuyi, executive producer, Best of Nollywood Awards, said; “Ever since Nollywood, as a sub sector of the Nigerian entertainment industry, has been underscored as a contributor to the GDP of Nigeria, it is imperative that as industry players, we continue to do all within our capacity to give wings to the Nollywood brand with the view to making our practitioners do better.”

  • TOPE TEDELA I’m open to working in different languages

    TOPE TEDELA I’m open to working in different languages

    Nollywood actor Tope Tedela who just finished his first project as a movie producer speaks with Adewoyin Adeniyi about his recent role in the movie King Invincible, relationship and other issues.

    YOU started the New Year quite well with King Invincible. How is the movie doing in cinemas?

    I am really grateful about the how year started. King Invincible has been getting a lot of positive feedback and that is really heart-warming.

    You’ve been getting accolades for your role in the movie, how does that make you feel?

    I am definitely grateful about the fact that a lot of people received my performance and the film as a whole positively. It makes me look back at the hard work we put into making the film and smile at the fact that it was worth it.

    As an actor who has blessed other people’s works with your acting skills, when should your fans be expecting your own movie? Or are you not thinking of going into movie production?

    I have been interested in producing for a bit but two friends, Paul Utomi and Vanessa Nzediegwu, encouraged me to take the plunge some months ago. Together we produced What Lies Within, which will be in cinemas around the country this year. Making What Lies Within opened my eyes more to seeing how things work behind the camera. Producing is a part of the film business I also enjoy and there would be more to come.

    As a Yoruba man, have you ever considered acting in the Yoruba sector of Nollywood?

    I am an actor and that is the fundamental identity that I have. Great work can come from anywhere, whether it is in Efik, Hausa or Egun. I am open to working in different languages and parts of the country and the world.

    It is said that the English-speaking sector of Nollywood rakes in more money than the Yoruba sector; what’s your take on this?

    Unfortunately, I am not an authority on that matter so I really cannot say much.

    Who would you always like to be paired with in movie roles?

    Everyone brings something unique to the table and it would be a disservice to not experience the abundance of talent that litters the industry.

    Did you see yourself coming this far as an actor?

    I wake up every morning being grateful for my journey but I also realise that there is still a long way to go. I hoped that I would be successful, did my little bit by putting in the work and I am amazed at where I am now.

    What are the challenges of being a celebrity?

    Celebrity is a tag that society places on people and if that is a good or bad thing is up for discussion. There is an expectation that people may have of us so-called celebrities. This can cause us to stop living and start playing to the gallery.

    Regardless of the job that we do, we are all, fundamentally, human beings. I am not superman. I am not a saint. I have my fears, my frailties, my opinions, my likes and dislikes.

    You always dodge answering relationship questions, are you that secretive?

    It is not about dodging relationship questions. My main thought is that divulging my relationship status – whether single, married, divorced or complicated – does not really change much for anybody else. Feel me?

    You must have learnt few things about celebrity marriages crashing, is that why you are keeping your relationship out of public eyes?

    A sad reality is that marriages of people from different walks of life crash everyday but being in the public eye may put extra pressure. I do not think everything is for public consumption.

    What qualities do you seek in a woman?

    I could draw up a list of qualities I seek in a woman but the question that tugs at my soul is if I am also worthy of a person in whom I seek those qualities. Can I look in the mirror and say I am a man deserving of a woman with these qualities? As individuals, I think we need to be the best version of ourselves.

    What’s your favourite role ever?

    TOPE TEDELA
    TOPE TEDELA

    I have been fortunate to play a range of roles, many in which I have found immense satisfaction.

    What should your fans expect from you in 2017?

    There are a couple of projects lined up like What Lies Within, Ojukokoro, Slow Country, Catcher, Dog napped, Madam Koi Koi, Within These Walls, Gidi Up and a couple others.

    Actors/ film makers keep asking the government to invest in Nollywood, but how can it create employment?

    I think the most important thing is for government to create an enabling environment where all businesses can thrive. If we have the basic infrastructure that a forward-moving country should have, you’d see the turnaround not only in the motion picture business but in all other spheres of endeavour.

    What is your saddest experience ever?

    As we speak, nothing jumps out at me. For my sanity, I brush off bad events from my psyche as quickly as possible so that I am not unnecessarily burdened.

    Have you had your happiest day yet?

    Everyday above the ground is a good, happy day!

  • Judith Audu, Tope Tedela, others shine in ‘Plus 234’

    Judith Audu, Tope Tedela, others shine in ‘Plus 234’

    AS the year 2015 enters its second month, it is looking to be an interesting one for the TV entertainment. Joining the list of new productions is an exciting TV series titled Plus 234. With its focus on the upwardly mobile, the new television sitcom prods into the life of working class Nigerians and how they cope with being in an environment with same people for a minimum of eight hours a day, five days a week and every week and every year.

    Explaining the concept behind the movie, writer of the script, Lani Aisidi, says that it is basically about a call centre where they win accounts for corporate brands, especially telecom networks.

    “As different people come together with different personalities and different backgrounds, their personal lives begin to intertwine with the work environment. This naturally creates bonds, conflicts and drama. It breeds love, betrayal, office politics and laughter  all of which is captured in the television series,” he said.

    The drama is created by Lani Aisida and Soji Ogunnaike, and is co-produced by Oje Unuigboje. According to Unuigboje, airing for the 13 episode series begins next quarter.

    Plus 234 features Kiki Omeili, Tope Tedela, Tosyn Bucknor, Anthony Monjaro, Paul Alumona, Whochey Nnadi, Paul Utomi, Judith Audu and Bimbo Ademoye.

  • Tope Tedela on Nolly Silver Screen cover

    Tope Tedela on Nolly Silver Screen cover

    FAST-RISING Nollywood actor, Tope Tedela, has landed his first magazine cover in the April edition of Nolly Silver Screen.

    The actor, who shot to the limelight after clinching the Best Actor at the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA), talks to Isabella Akinseye about his journey into the world of make- believe.

    He discussed his inspiration, his role in A Mile from Home, which won him the award and love for the theatre. “The journey has not been smooth at all. There’ve been times of rejection, little or no pay and attending auditions with no results. But through it all, I’ve continued to strive and I’m beginning to thrive,” he said.