Rising Yoruba actress, Mosunmola Adeleye, who is set to get married soon, speaks to DUPE AYINLA-OLASUNKANMI on the challenges of being a producer, her relationship of 12 years which led to marriage, among other issues.
CONGRATS on your forthcoming wedding.
Thank you
How are the preparation going?
Fine and I thank God for everything, because I never expected it?
How do you mean?
Well, we have been dating for the past 12 years. It was more like an on and off thing. He is based abroad and only calls when he feels it’s necessary. And you know most Nigerian men are scared of actresses and usually give them the option of quitting the job.
But did he ask you to?
No, and I am thankful to God and also to my husband-to-be. He’s been back for more than two weeks now and I have only been home for few days. But he understands the nature of my job.
Is 12 years not too long a time to spend in a relationship?
Let me first say that he is a good friend. We had known each other even before he travelled abroad. But like I said earlier, I never took him seriously because we only see and meet whenever he comes home. Most times, he would only call, maybe once in three months or more than that. Knowing the story of men based abroad,
I didn’t see the relationship as a serious one. But when he came home, two years ago and insisted on my meeting with his parent, I still had my doubts. But I went. After that, he travelled again and last year, he started making moves towards the wedding preparation. I didn’t see it working out. I am so grateful and happy too because it is where my joy and happiness lies.
With the both of you based in different countries, how do you plan to make your marriage work?
Since I also have access to travel and meet him, I don’t see it as a challenge. He will be coming home frequently too, since he has a home here in Nigeria.
Tell us your experience as a young producer?
I must tell you, producing movies is not really encouraging here. As I am speaking to you, I’m yet to recover the money for the cost of producing my first two movies. At least if you don’t get any profit, you should be able to recoup your investment. But my third movie is a bit better because I was able to get both my production cost and profit. Although, it was marketed by a different marketer. Piracy is also another factor that needs to be tackled in order for us to make a living too.
Is that experience not enough for you to stop producing movies?
It is, but that is the only way you can be approached and given good jobs to do, especially when you have been able to produce a movie for people to see what you can do. Though there was a time I wanted to stop and focus on my acting career. I have friends who have done very well in their different fields by engaging in buying and selling. Producing movies scares me a lot, but I have a new one I am working on. It is in its post-production stage.
As an actress, is it compulsory that you produce movies?
You have to produce for people to recognise and respect you. It is only when God sends someone to you that you can be featured in movies more. Because we are large in number, especially the women. The competition is high. One has to take the bold step and promote oneself. That is where you can make yourself known in any aspect you are good in. It could be comedy and other genres, because these people are not ready to take risks and invest their money in you without first seeing what you are capable of.
Did you also join a caucus to stay in the industry?
Yes. Presently I am with Owolabi Film Productions. That is because if you don’t join a faction, you can’t make it on your own. When you join a faction, it is easier for you when you want to produce because the money you will pay your own set of people, will be different from the charges you will be given from another group.
How do you get funds for your production?
Thank God for my husband-to-be. He has been very supportive financially. Anytime I want to produce a movie, I just call him to explain and whatever he has, he sends to me.
Aside that, I was also a worker at the Ministry Of Finance in Ogun State. So out of my salary, I would save a certain amount. Whenever I have a production, I would take a loan from the co-operative and use. Presently, I am still paying the money I collected for my second movie, and I’m yet to collect a dime from the marketer of the movie.
Why did you quit your job?
I didn’t quit my job with Ogun State. When the present governor took over in 2012, he asked every worker to re-apply. During the exercise, I was not around so I could not participate. Aside that, I just felt it was time for me to fully focus on my career as an actress. I want to be able to create a name and brand for myself, after which I can go back to corporate job.
Do you see yourself quitting if pressured by your husband?
Well, I can’t really say what can happen. What I can tell you is that most times when he is around, we usually go to location together. Presently he is very supportive of my career.
During your courtship, was there a time when he doubted your fidelity?
Yes, many times. There was a period he stopped calling me for almost a year. During that period, he also changed his numbers. I didn’t get to hear from him until the day he called with another number and said he was on his way and would want to see me, so that we can talk. Like I said earlier, I never knew we would end up married. Because all those times, I just felt he must have settled down with someone else.
Is it something of a trend for Yoruba actresses to get married to men based abroad?
For others, I can’t say. I can only speak for myself. He has been abroad for 15 years, but we met during one of his visits. We remained friends for long before the intimacy started. So I wouldn’t say I’m getting married to him because he is based abroad. It is just all about feelings.
Lesbianism is the new rave in the industry. Have you been approached too?
No, I have not come across such. That is because I don’t mingle with the ladies in the industry.
Why is that?
I am not being proud but I am also conscious of the fact that when you get too close to a particular person, you start getting roped into issues that you many know nothing about. I don’t want that for my career. I am a very quiet person. We talk while shooting but I don’t get intimate with any of them. It is when you are too close, that the issue of ‘don’t call me by my name’ will occur too. So what I do is go on set, get in my car with my script and go and play my role when it is my scene.
Did you have to sleep your way like some of you colleagues are said to do?
No, I’m not saying I am a saint. But what I am saying is, they will come, but when they see that you have everything to succeed in the industry, it will be limited. I have my money, I don’t have to beg anybody for roles, so I can’t be pressurised into such things. When you have your money, you can achieve anything and be who you what to be in the industry. It is only those that believe they can’t not get to their goal that pass through the back door. When I was coming into the industry, I came in through my coach. I was a tennis player while in school, and I played across the country. My coach, Rasak Oladiran Baroka, is also an actor. He was the one I walked up to and informed of my intention to be an actress. He told me what to do and that was how it all started.
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