I have featured in over 100 films – Lala

By Bamidele Kolawole
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Famous actor, Muyideen Oladapo popularly known as Lala, Omo Iya Onila, has said his passion and love for acting has opened many  doors for him since he started acting almost 27 years ago.

In an interview with Friday Extravaganza, he speaks on his acting career and how he fell in love with the job, saying he has been able to feature  in over 100 films.

He noted that he joined Dagunro Theatre group in 1992, under the leadership of his boss, Late Fasasi Olabankewin popularly known as Dagunro, saying he has been able to produce 15 films of his own.

The graduate of Dramatic Arts from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile -Ife Osun State, described acting as a way of correcting people from wrong doing in the society.  According to him, “if they produce films that align with something that is going on for people to watch. I  believe there will be changes in our society.

According to him, film production is the voice of the people, adding that it is a good platform to express massive opinion.

Lala listed some of his challenges since he has been acting to include finance, and some veteran actors and actresses that did not allow them to show what they have, saying they see them as  upcoming artistes who does not know anything about acting.

“When I started, it was not easy because I was unknown then, I didn’t earn good money, but I kept struggling because of the passion and love I have for acting.

“At the initial stage of my career, my family were  not in support of it, they believed that acting is not a serious profession for a responsible child.

“People told my mother then that actors and actresses do kill themselves and that was why my mother went against it, but now the story has changed.

“As an actor or actress, you should be able to interpret any role given to you. Whenever I’m given a role, I will study the story to have more understanding about my role”.

“Nigeria Nollywood is really trying, but Bollywood is far ahead of Nigeria. They have full support and assistance from their government. If we enjoy such support from our government, we will surely move beyond people’s expectations,” he explained.

He revealed that he enjoys acting, saying it has been part of him, and can go extra length to act whatever role given to him to make it real.

Lala, who hails from Osogbo, in Osun State, stated that he can allow any of his children to dabble into acting if they choose.

His words, my “aim is to be the best in anything I do at all times. He added that very soon, two of his films “Oye” and “Olori Ebi” will come out.

He enjoined upcoming actors to do all they can to beat the initial challenge of acceptability by remaining focused, vision driven and constantly evolving. He added that they should not relent in whatever they are doing in life.