Lateef Adedimeji on ‘Ayinla’: I prayed for ‘waka pass’ role in a Tunde Kelani film

Lateef Adedimeji, Nigerian actor, says the massive reception accorded ‘Ayinla’, a biopic on Ayinla Omowura, late Apala singer, has placed him on a level beyond his imagination.

The 35-year-old actor, who played the lead role in the movie, said he was shocked by the reception.

Adedimeji said he had always wanted to feature in a Tunde Kelani movie, even if it is a cameo appearance.

The actor spoke on Wednesday at the unveiling of ‘Ile Alayo’, a comedy series produced by Femi Adebayo, Nollywood actor, in partnership with StarTimes.

“Ayinla set me on a mood way beyond my imagination. I have always prayed all my life that someday I’ll do a “waka pass” on a Tunde Kelani’s set, so it was shocking to me when I got the lead. Ayinla was away from my usual,” he said.

“For me it was a shock when I saw the reception of Ayinla, and I saw the way people appreciated it. It was a shock that people can really appreciate our own culture and our own movie like this.

“What are we waiting for? If that can be done, then we all just need to wake up from our slumber and do some meaningful projects that will portray us well and then people can come and appreciate it.”

Adedimeji said playing the lead role in the biopic was “quite challenging” because he had never read or watched any video about the late Apala singer.

“I’m never a fan of Apala music, I don’t know who Ayinla is, until I got the script,” he said.

“So it was quite challenging for me. There was no video recording of him, no documentation of him at all, so every characterisation and mannerism was me building it up from stories about him. It was a very challenging task for me, and I really loved it.”

The movie, which was directed by Tunde Kelani, veteran filmmaker, and co-produced by Jade Osiberu’s Greoh Studios, has become a box office success since its release on June 18.

The project features Mr Macaroni, Omawunmi Dada, Bimbo Manuel, Bimbo Ademoye and Ade Laoye.