interview
By Nurudeen Oyewole
Lagos — Weekend Magazine: How did you get into Nollywood? Bose Oladimeji: I joined Nollywood in 2009 under Bayo Tijani. I was acting and schooling at the same time. I must say that it wasn’t easy combining the two but God saw me through.
WM: Did you have any formal training in acting before joining Nollywood?
Oladimeji: Yes, because as a literary student back then in school, all that has to do with acting was taught to us. I learnt both written and practical, but my finesse was fine-tuned under my boss, Bayo Tijani.
WM: What do you have to say about the assertion that nothing is free in Nollywood for ladies?
Whosoever is giving you a job in order to sleep with you would definitely have his way, so it is advisable for ladies to do the right thing at the right time, because when you are exceptional as an actress, nobody will ever come to you with rubbish because they will know that whatever job they give you, you deserve. Aside that, I have this belief that business should not be mixed with pleasure because if that is done, then one is putting the cart before the horse. I think people should go for the best cast and crew rather than put their lovers on set.
WM: There are also insinuations that the industry is being run by membership of caucuses. Are you in any of them?
Oladimeji: I heard about that and I love the idea because it helps to sharpen one’s skills. By the time you frolic with experienced hands, you have no choice than to learn. For budding actors and actresses, it is an easy way to develop in the industry.
WM: You act in Yoruba movies. How rewarding are they?
Oladimeji: The remuneration cannot be compared to the efforts and investments put into it, but we thank the Lord. What keeps us going is the passion for the job. You can also see that piracy is killing so many things and in a situation where you use huge amounts of money to produce a film and the next thing is for you to see it in a four-in-one pirated DVD, I’m sure you can relate to how sad one would be.
WM: What was your first experience on set like?
Oladimeji: My first professional appearance on screen was in a movie titled ‘Owe Akala.’ I remember that it was fantastic because seeing myself before a camera elicited joy in my heart. Since then, I have lost count of the flicks I have appeared in.
WM: Have you ever been attracted to a colleague while on set?
Oladimeji: Yes, but I let them realise that business is different from pleasure.
WM: What appeals to you in a man?
Oladimeji: I have a soft spot for a man that has good carriage and character.
WM: What are you currently working on?
Oladimeji: I am working on a new project which will soon be released and I believe my fans would enjoy it because I have never disappointed them. I will keep the name under wraps for now and let them watch out for it.
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