One of the most eligible bachelors
in Yoruba movie industry and Nollywood, Lateef Adedimeji Adetola, has
proven his versatility. He seems to have artistry in his blood: give him
a script to play any role, and you have a gem on your set. From a
corporate guy role to that of an imbecile, Lateef is there to hold you
spellbound as a gifted thespian. He tells Tosin Clegg, about his career.
in Yoruba movie industry and Nollywood, Lateef Adedimeji Adetola, has
proven his versatility. He seems to have artistry in his blood: give him
a script to play any role, and you have a gem on your set. From a
corporate guy role to that of an imbecile, Lateef is there to hold you
spellbound as a gifted thespian. He tells Tosin Clegg, about his career.
The First Movie Break
Lateef said he was advised that in the
Yoruba movie industry, one needed to belong to a group to be called for
jobs. That was how he joined the likes of Afeez Eniola, Muyiwa Ademola,
Bayo Tijani and began from there. Kudi Klepto was the movie that
actually brought him to limelight.
Yoruba movie industry, one needed to belong to a group to be called for
jobs. That was how he joined the likes of Afeez Eniola, Muyiwa Ademola,
Bayo Tijani and began from there. Kudi Klepto was the movie that
actually brought him to limelight.
“It was by Yewande Adekoya and marketed
by Olasco Films. The first time I met Yewande was at a rehearsal and
that was where we got along. Yewande has been in the industry for long
and when she wanted to produce Kudi Klepto, she told me she would want
to feature me in the movie. The production manager and crew didn’t know
me so they had to be showing them pictures to know it’s me. But she told
me I shouldn’t disappoint her at the production as she trusted me and
knew I could do it. Eventually when I got the script, I had to lock
myself up for like three days. I kept rehearsing and eventually when I
got to location; my expression was ‘wow’. My acting got me my first
award in the United States of America, a BON award and so many others.”
by Olasco Films. The first time I met Yewande was at a rehearsal and
that was where we got along. Yewande has been in the industry for long
and when she wanted to produce Kudi Klepto, she told me she would want
to feature me in the movie. The production manager and crew didn’t know
me so they had to be showing them pictures to know it’s me. But she told
me I shouldn’t disappoint her at the production as she trusted me and
knew I could do it. Eventually when I got the script, I had to lock
myself up for like three days. I kept rehearsing and eventually when I
got to location; my expression was ‘wow’. My acting got me my first
award in the United States of America, a BON award and so many others.”
Becoming Who I am today
From the kind of training Lateef
received at the NGO, they were taught about 18 topics and all of these
have actually been part of him. And it was actually the beginning of
fame. And perhaps, fortune.
received at the NGO, they were taught about 18 topics and all of these
have actually been part of him. And it was actually the beginning of
fame. And perhaps, fortune.
“How do I manage the fame? The minute I
had it in my head that I might blow, I started training myself on how to
handle fame and package myself. I have always been told that whatsoever
you do, be you famous or anything, you should affect lives and that has
been my goal. So, more of what I do is to replicate the training from
the NGO and blend into it. So I try to teach, make people see me the way
I am and make people believe. You have to believe yourself before
people can believe you. I try to make people understand that it goes
beyond talent. What are you doing to make your talent stand out? What
can make you so different that when a hundred stars shine, they can
actually single handedly bring you out and think you’re different. So
those stuffs are actually what made me who I am.”
had it in my head that I might blow, I started training myself on how to
handle fame and package myself. I have always been told that whatsoever
you do, be you famous or anything, you should affect lives and that has
been my goal. So, more of what I do is to replicate the training from
the NGO and blend into it. So I try to teach, make people see me the way
I am and make people believe. You have to believe yourself before
people can believe you. I try to make people understand that it goes
beyond talent. What are you doing to make your talent stand out? What
can make you so different that when a hundred stars shine, they can
actually single handedly bring you out and think you’re different. So
those stuffs are actually what made me who I am.”
A Flexible Style
“Like Uncle Antar (Laniyan) once told
me, the acting is in you but the ability is what makes you
extraordinary. So he merged it together and gave me the name Actability.
You have the Actability in you and now everybody can act and can use
words but how do you use your own words? How do you play with your voice
and what swag do you bring into your acting that’s basically what makes
you different? In the Yoruba world, there is no characterisation or
whatever as when you leave this location you go on another location and
yet another one. So you as an actor you have to take your time to
understand what the story is about and take your time to give yourself a
character from the understanding of the story, that’s what will make
people see you in different movies and not see the same person always.
So basically I take my time when I get to location or ask the producer
or whoever wrote the script that who is this character and can you
explain this person to me? Apart from you telling me the story when you
were writing, what character were you thinking about of this person?
Tell me then I might be able to link it up to my person, assimilate it
and fall into the character.”
me, the acting is in you but the ability is what makes you
extraordinary. So he merged it together and gave me the name Actability.
You have the Actability in you and now everybody can act and can use
words but how do you use your own words? How do you play with your voice
and what swag do you bring into your acting that’s basically what makes
you different? In the Yoruba world, there is no characterisation or
whatever as when you leave this location you go on another location and
yet another one. So you as an actor you have to take your time to
understand what the story is about and take your time to give yourself a
character from the understanding of the story, that’s what will make
people see you in different movies and not see the same person always.
So basically I take my time when I get to location or ask the producer
or whoever wrote the script that who is this character and can you
explain this person to me? Apart from you telling me the story when you
were writing, what character were you thinking about of this person?
Tell me then I might be able to link it up to my person, assimilate it
and fall into the character.”
The Challenges so Far
Lateef says a particular movie, Ireje,
is one of the most challenging he has had to handle. He said this was so
because he had to switch in between different emotions.
is one of the most challenging he has had to handle. He said this was so
because he had to switch in between different emotions.
“At some time you laugh, then next
minute, you cry. But the most challenging is by Muyiwa Ademola where I
had to play hunter. That (role) had to make use of eulogies and not
being used to that character, it was a bit challenging for me. But of
all the movies I have done, Kudi Klepto is still my number one
challenging movie maybe because that’s the first movie I had to play a
major role in it. It was a bit challenging but I was able to deliver.”
minute, you cry. But the most challenging is by Muyiwa Ademola where I
had to play hunter. That (role) had to make use of eulogies and not
being used to that character, it was a bit challenging for me. But of
all the movies I have done, Kudi Klepto is still my number one
challenging movie maybe because that’s the first movie I had to play a
major role in it. It was a bit challenging but I was able to deliver.”
Between Me and Odunlade Adekola
Many have seen him as rival to another
leading Yoruba act, Odunlade Adekola. Though many admit that Adekola is
his senior in the industry, Lateef is seen as the one that will take
over that ‘slot’ in Yoruba movie hierarchy. But Lateef says they get
along very well.
leading Yoruba act, Odunlade Adekola. Though many admit that Adekola is
his senior in the industry, Lateef is seen as the one that will take
over that ‘slot’ in Yoruba movie hierarchy. But Lateef says they get
along very well.
“The relationship is cool and for me
it’s not always easy when you have a striking resemblance with someone
and you are in the same field line with but I have come to realise and
learn that I do not see any actor as a competitor. The minute you see
your co actor as a competitor you want to start acting to impress and
the minute you start doing that you over-act and people will notice it.
So you must understand your own character and just let things flow. So
another thing is that I see Odunlade as a good actor in every aspect and
what do I gain from him? I sit to watch and learn from every other
actor: Odunlade, Femi (Adebayo), Muyiwa (Ademola). Then I pick from them
and add to myself which brings a lot of value to me. We have met a lot
of times and he would always tell me that if he leaves this work I take
over as we purely look alike. But I said my character is different but
he tells me you have to wrap it up. Nonetheless, it’s been fun all the
way.”
it’s not always easy when you have a striking resemblance with someone
and you are in the same field line with but I have come to realise and
learn that I do not see any actor as a competitor. The minute you see
your co actor as a competitor you want to start acting to impress and
the minute you start doing that you over-act and people will notice it.
So you must understand your own character and just let things flow. So
another thing is that I see Odunlade as a good actor in every aspect and
what do I gain from him? I sit to watch and learn from every other
actor: Odunlade, Femi (Adebayo), Muyiwa (Ademola). Then I pick from them
and add to myself which brings a lot of value to me. We have met a lot
of times and he would always tell me that if he leaves this work I take
over as we purely look alike. But I said my character is different but
he tells me you have to wrap it up. Nonetheless, it’s been fun all the
way.”
Antar Laniyan is My Role Model
Lateef says Antar Laniyan, an actor of many decades experience is one man he has always looked up to.
“There is this carriage he has and the
voice. There is a way he plays with his voice and eventually when I met
him on set for the very first time I received a slap from him and I was
going to act normal as that scene is the very first scene and my line
the very first. And I just said: ‘Yes you are my father’. And he replied
that they should cut. He didn’t even correct me but just slapped me and
I was confused. Then, he said, I should shut up that next time if you
see it, is the first scene or first line it must be catchy so you must
look for a way to play with your voice. He then asked me to take it
again. He said there is a yes, a comma before the father so understand
the line. You need to shout on your father that what he is doing is
wrong so emphasise on the ‘Yes’. And I had to do that and I think that
was the day he told me you have the ‘acting’ and ability’ so you have
the Actability. He is someone I have always looked up to. Eventually,
when I got into the industry more I looked and searched for Ibrahim
Chatta as he is another crazy actor. When he is acting, I sit to study
the way he does his things and look at Odunlade as well but Antar is
always someone I looked up to.”
voice. There is a way he plays with his voice and eventually when I met
him on set for the very first time I received a slap from him and I was
going to act normal as that scene is the very first scene and my line
the very first. And I just said: ‘Yes you are my father’. And he replied
that they should cut. He didn’t even correct me but just slapped me and
I was confused. Then, he said, I should shut up that next time if you
see it, is the first scene or first line it must be catchy so you must
look for a way to play with your voice. He then asked me to take it
again. He said there is a yes, a comma before the father so understand
the line. You need to shout on your father that what he is doing is
wrong so emphasise on the ‘Yes’. And I had to do that and I think that
was the day he told me you have the ‘acting’ and ability’ so you have
the Actability. He is someone I have always looked up to. Eventually,
when I got into the industry more I looked and searched for Ibrahim
Chatta as he is another crazy actor. When he is acting, I sit to study
the way he does his things and look at Odunlade as well but Antar is
always someone I looked up to.”
Awards
Lateef admits the movie, Kudi Klepto,
earned him the award of Best Actor and he also won a Heritage Award in
Atlanta, United States.
earned him the award of Best Actor and he also won a Heritage Award in
Atlanta, United States.
“Kudi Klepto also gave me Odua Movie
Awards too in 2014 and 2015 as Best Actor and it also gave me Best Actor
in supporting role at BON Awards. I also won City People Awards and
Lagos Under-30 Best Actor of the Year Awards.”
Awards too in 2014 and 2015 as Best Actor and it also gave me Best Actor
in supporting role at BON Awards. I also won City People Awards and
Lagos Under-30 Best Actor of the Year Awards.”
I am Passionate about NGO
“Basically most of us that call
ourselves celebrities but when they ask us what it takes, most of us
can’t really say. This is an endangered generation and we have to do
something. I know the minute you become a face on TV you have some
authority. So if something is black you can say it’s white because of
the love they have for you. They can actually follow you and believe in
what you do. So with that alone I feel I can do a whole lot and affect
the young ones as somehow, somewhere we are all endangered. So Great
Minds Initiative is actually for young people who have talents in them
but no place to display the talent or are not working with the right set
of people to display these talents. Some can do a lot of stuff so GMI
is actually a gathering for every young person who is willing and ready
to do something but don’t have a place or avenue to drop it. So you can
come to GMI and drop it in a gathering of youths willing to support you
towards your career. So I did a retreat in Ilorin for over 60 youths
from parts of Nigeria and they all came around just to sanitise and open
them to what GMI is about. If you are carrying a name they must see it
in you and know what you are all about. I took them through all of those
topics and the movie project I’m working on is titled ‘The Endangered
Generation’ which is about young people and what we go through.
ourselves celebrities but when they ask us what it takes, most of us
can’t really say. This is an endangered generation and we have to do
something. I know the minute you become a face on TV you have some
authority. So if something is black you can say it’s white because of
the love they have for you. They can actually follow you and believe in
what you do. So with that alone I feel I can do a whole lot and affect
the young ones as somehow, somewhere we are all endangered. So Great
Minds Initiative is actually for young people who have talents in them
but no place to display the talent or are not working with the right set
of people to display these talents. Some can do a lot of stuff so GMI
is actually a gathering for every young person who is willing and ready
to do something but don’t have a place or avenue to drop it. So you can
come to GMI and drop it in a gathering of youths willing to support you
towards your career. So I did a retreat in Ilorin for over 60 youths
from parts of Nigeria and they all came around just to sanitise and open
them to what GMI is about. If you are carrying a name they must see it
in you and know what you are all about. I took them through all of those
topics and the movie project I’m working on is titled ‘The Endangered
Generation’ which is about young people and what we go through.
Lateef says he can give up at any point in time but wants the world to say something about him when he is longer on the scene.
“That’s what I’m trying to do in the
best way I can; to speak to a life and that’s a basic challenge for me.
So I’m trying to work on a lot of stuff to give back to the society that
made me.”
best way I can; to speak to a life and that’s a basic challenge for me.
So I’m trying to work on a lot of stuff to give back to the society that
made me.”
My Next Big Project
The Kwara State-born thespian says his next big project is his next move.
“It’s a movie that will be going through
people and that’s the movie that’s on my head now. After that I will be
doing some major Yoruba movies too. Things that have to do with people
and the society is what I’m bent on doing now.”
people and that’s the movie that’s on my head now. After that I will be
doing some major Yoruba movies too. Things that have to do with people
and the society is what I’m bent on doing now.”
I’m a Deep Muslim Guy
Lateef admits that the way they brought him up in his family was to be a devout Muslim.
“In my quiet time, if I’m not acting or
something, it’s either I’m on my praying mat or I’m reading or I’m
trying to upgrade myself because what I am carrying is even beyond me.
So I’m to know about a little of everything and if you would be leading a
lot of people, certain questions will be thrown at you which may throw
you off balance and if you aren’t prepared you may be in trouble.”
something, it’s either I’m on my praying mat or I’m reading or I’m
trying to upgrade myself because what I am carrying is even beyond me.
So I’m to know about a little of everything and if you would be leading a
lot of people, certain questions will be thrown at you which may throw
you off balance and if you aren’t prepared you may be in trouble.”
Bimbo Oshin is my Crush
“I told Bimbo Oshin point blank that she
is my crush. But dealing with the female fans isn’t easy but I think
it’s about the carriage and knowing what you want. It’s also about
knowing that as much as fame comes, you don’t get carried away with it.
My father will say that you when you see a lot of females appreciating
you, you know that you have arrived then thank your star you’re getting
to where you’re going. Then when you see they are becoming too many,
thank your star again but be careful as it may lead to your downfall. So
that has always been in my head all the time.”
is my crush. But dealing with the female fans isn’t easy but I think
it’s about the carriage and knowing what you want. It’s also about
knowing that as much as fame comes, you don’t get carried away with it.
My father will say that you when you see a lot of females appreciating
you, you know that you have arrived then thank your star you’re getting
to where you’re going. Then when you see they are becoming too many,
thank your star again but be careful as it may lead to your downfall. So
that has always been in my head all the time.”
I Will Like to Work with Denzel Washington
Lateef has one big dream though: he wants to work with celebrated American actor, Denzel Washington.
“I love him; I love his carriage and
apart from his acting world when he talks as well there is something for
you to actually pick. If he speaks for five minutes there must be
something for you to actually gain and that makes a lot of sense. It
means he is leaving a good land mark. That’s about him and something I
envisage for myself not because of anything but it’s more like a mentor
and motivational speaker.”
apart from his acting world when he talks as well there is something for
you to actually pick. If he speaks for five minutes there must be
something for you to actually gain and that makes a lot of sense. It
means he is leaving a good land mark. That’s about him and something I
envisage for myself not because of anything but it’s more like a mentor
and motivational speaker.”
Why I Am Called the Crying Machine
Due to his versatility, Lateef can
switch between emotions seamlessly. And this has made people to conclude
he is a crying machine.
switch between emotions seamlessly. And this has made people to conclude
he is a crying machine.
“This has got me thinking. Aside from
the fact that I have to think of a lot of stuff, I’m being trained by
Aunty Ann Ojido; that if it’s going to be emotional there is always a
factor. Wherever you find yourself, be it in stage or even here, there
is always a factor that can make you cry easily. So whenever you want to
cry on set and you can’t, quickly flash back to something emotional
always remember to look for the factor around you.
the fact that I have to think of a lot of stuff, I’m being trained by
Aunty Ann Ojido; that if it’s going to be emotional there is always a
factor. Wherever you find yourself, be it in stage or even here, there
is always a factor that can make you cry easily. So whenever you want to
cry on set and you can’t, quickly flash back to something emotional
always remember to look for the factor around you.
From being picked by an NGO to help sell
its message to a household name in Nollywood, the journey has been
exciting for Lateef Adedimeji . But the road ahead is still long. And
the interesting thing is that this young man is well aware of that.
its message to a household name in Nollywood, the journey has been
exciting for Lateef Adedimeji . But the road ahead is still long. And
the interesting thing is that this young man is well aware of that.