Mike Afolarin has steadily risen as one of Nollywood’s most compelling talents, seamlessly transitioning from gripping on-screen performances to behind-the-lens photography. But for the actor, this is only the beginning. In this interview with TheCable Lifestyle’s TAIWO OSHUNLOYE, the movie star opens up about his journey, the challenges of the industry, his thoughts on Nollywood’s global potential, and why his latest film ‘Freedom Way’ strikes a chord with everyday Nigerians. He also shares personal insights, from his relationship status to his long-term vision for African cinema.
TheCable Lifestyle: When did you know you wanted to become an actor?
Mike: When I took part in school plays, that was when it kicked in for me that I could actually go into this career path. I have been focused on it since then.
TheCable Lifestyle: Who would you say are your biggest role models in the industry?
Mike: I studied a lot of actors when starting acting, like the intensity of the performance, when I usually see Gabriel Afolayan’s movies. So I would say he definitely stood out to me. But
TheCable Lifestyle: What is the most challenging thing about your profession?
Mike: We have long hours of work most of the time. Long, intense hours of work, and when you have to be on camera, you cannot let that get to you. You have to put on a show regardless of whether it is 2am or you have been up for 24 hours straight. That is what I would say is the challenging thing for me.
TheCable Lifestyle: Aside from acting, you also dabble in photography. What is the creative process for that like?
Mike: To be honest, I only started taking pictures of people because there is a way I like to be photographed. Being an actor, I have had to do a lot of photoshoots and sessions. I also kind of had the talent before I got into acting fully. So I just decided to start taking pictures of people, how I like to be photographed. Simple and relaxed most time.
TheCable Lifestyle: If you were not into acting or photography, what would you be into?
Mike: To be honest, I get asked this question every time, and I say something different every time because right now, I do like a lot of different things. I am in the fashion world, and I am also into film and photography. I think it would be along the lines of media and entertainment, maybe fashion.
TheCable Lifestyle: How did you feel when you first read the script of the movie ‘Freedom Way’?
Mike: I felt that the story was very relatable to every Nigerian. The average Nigerian, especially the youths, would find themselves somewhere in that story, and that is particularly what drew me to the script. There are different themes in the story. The average Nigerian in different worlds, their stories come together to make sense at the end of the movie. That is one of the things that drew me to the story, the relatability to the average Nigerian.
TheCable Lifestyle: How were you able to immerse yourself in character for the role?
Mike: Like I said, the movie is relatable in the sense that it is the story and the struggle of the average Nigerian. That was not difficult to portray, seeing that I myself go through some of these issues. I know a couple of people who have been through it, who are going through it. So yes, it was not exactly difficult for me to bring this character to life, to be honest. The character existed; I just had to tap into it, my inner Nigerian.
TheCable Lifestyle: What is the one thing you want viewers to take home from the movie?
Mike: ‘Freedom Way’ is an exposé on how the system has affected every Nigerian. I just want them to see and understand how we can make the system reach us. That is the resilience of a Nigerian person. That is what I want people to take away from the story when they watch it. The system, as it is, tries us and throws a lot of rubbish our way, but we cannot let the system overpower and ridicule us. We have to find a way to dribble it. That is the one lesson I want people to take.
TheCable Lifestyle: Nollywood is one of Nigeria’s biggest exports, but the industry still seems to be struggling. Why do you think this is so?
Mike: To be honest, I feel a lot of practitioners in Nollywood do not see beyond Nigeria as their market. I think if we were to look at the fact that this is actually a huge export, and our audience is not just Nigerians. It is everybody, everywhere in the world. I think we would have a better picture and approach to how we make and market our products.
I think that is one of the many problems we are having in Nollywood right now. People do not really see beyond making movies for Nigerians. It is valid because we are creating the industry out of nothing, but if we could reach a wider audience far beyond Nigerians, we would be doing ourselves more good. Making movies for now, the future, and classics.
TheCable Lifestyle: The rise in the number of YouTube movies has sparked a conversation on whether it brings more harm than good to the industry or if it helps to spread a wider reach. What are your thoughts about it?
Mike: Going by that logic, if millions of people all over the world have access to Nigerian movies and the type of movies they have on YouTube is what they have access to, and that is their representation of Nollywood, I do not know if that is exactly the best look for Nollywood. Because we have seen the quality of most of those movies says but on the flip side, there is an argument that because they have to make their money back, the cost of production has to be incredibly low.
It is understandable, but it still buttresses my point when I say we cannot think only about the now. Making movies is a long game; it goes beyond the now. So in the end, we are doing movies to make money now, but are we thinking of the effects these types of movies we are making are having on the industry, and what is going to become of the industry in the near future? Nobody is thinking about that; everybody just wants to make money now. I guess that is what it has to be; it keeps actors busy and producers rich.
TheCable Lifestyle: What are your thoughts on the allegations of sex-for-roles and homosexuality in the industry? Have you ever experienced it?
Mike: I have never experienced anything like that in the industry. If others say they have experienced such, that is valid. But personally, I cannot say I have experienced anything of such.
TheCable Lifestyle: You have become increasingly popular among the female fans. Are you in a relationship?
Mike: First of all, I do not think it changes anything, but yes, I am in a relationship.
TheCable Lifestyle: Where do you see Mike Afolarin in the next ten years?
Mike: Mike Afolarin, in the next 10 years, will be in a different mindset as far as making movies is concerned. At a point, I am going to take a step back from being in front of the cameras to being behind the cameras. Getting actively involved in the production of movies.
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