Date: 2014-06-07

Femi Adebayo is a household name in the Yoruba sector of Nollywood. The son of Adebayo Salami popularly known as Oga Bello is a lawyer turned actor. In this chat with BOLATITO ADEBAYO, he talks about his marriage and gives a glimpse into his formative years among other interesting issues.

Excerpts:

What is Femi Adebayo working on presently?

Presently I am working on two major projects. Four of my friends and I have come together to set up a foundation because we feel society has given so much to us and we need to give back. We have chosen to serve as a link between the big players and the people at the grassroots. Consequently we have come up with a unique plan for our foundation and we are working on so many projects to raise funds. Among others we are targeting welfare and care for the less privileged. The other one is a movie entitled Omo Re re. It is about child abuse, trafficking and molestation. I just finished a project for the Kwara State government on cancer awareness. The focus is on breast and  .cervical cancer. These are the things that have been keeping me busy.

Did your father ever influence your interest in acting?

It’s an indirect influence. I call it indirect because when you sit back at home and watch your dad, everything your father does ultimately influences you and it becomes what you want to do. That is why I call it indirect influence; my dad never called anyone of us to say that this and that is what you must do. I love what my father does and that is why I ended up here.

What are the challenges of being the son of Oga Bello?

Well, the challenges were more when I was in secondary school and at the university. Back then, whenever my dad came visiting, everyone would want to catch a glimpse of him and the entire school would be in disarray. But now the major challenge is being Femi Adebayo, being myself and managing my fame. Basically I have lost my privacy; there are times you want to do something in some particular way and you remember that all eyes are on you and you recede into your shell.

What are the memorable times you shared with your dad on set?

Wow! There were very funny scenarios. I can remember when I had to play his younger brother and I had to abuse him on set. I had to do it because if I didn’t do it, it would be unprofessional. You know, he would always tell me, ‘Femi, on this job, forget father and son relationship.’ Another instance was when I had to play the role of an armed robber. I had to rob him and hit him with a gun. Those are the few instances that I remember. Whenever I recall those events I just laugh.

There are many speculations about your marriage. What is the truth. Are you guys still together?

There have been several speculations about my marriage and the people who know the truth know what is happening.  Remember what I said initially about losing one’s privacy just because of our jobs. I still maintain the fact that my wife and I are still together.  She just spoke to me a while ago telling about my son and I spoke with my son as well.  I wonder why people just sit back and fabricate and speculate, spreading very false stories about us. Well, my father warned me about such things. But I am thanking them all for stirring up rumour about me; that means I am still very relevant. I remain very cool with my wife.

Would you be a polygamist like your dad?

(Laughs) No, I am not. My dad won’t even support it. Religion wise it is permitted but the ability to handle more than one wife is what I don’t have.  So polygamy for me is a no-go area.

You are a lawyer turned actor. What happens to the Law?

Law is my life. I only had a call in entertainment and I am answering that call right now. Later I will go back to Law. The good thing is that I have been certified a lawyer which means I have been called to the Nigerian Bar. What’s more,  I have a Masters in Law. I can pick my degree at anytime. However, for now, God has called me into acting and so I have to give it to entertainment because I am doing well in that field.

You are into acting, your father is into acting and even your brothers as well. Will you let your kids go into acting?

Of course if they are interested. I will support them because dad never forced anyone of us to go into acting. We were interested in it and we all developed ourselves. So if any of my children wants to tow that line I will give that child my full support.

Who do you look up to in the industry aside your dad?

I look up to God.

What makes a good script?

What makes a good script is the message the script is sending out to the audience and how the message will affect and transform people’s lives in the society. The plot, the character, the technical aspect and casting is equally important as well. Also, a good script must have depth, a message that will bring positive impact on the society.

As an actor you seem to have a lot of depth. What are your secrets?

I don’t really know but I have heard several times that I can play any role and that means that I am very versatile. When I did the comic character of Jelili, many people where like ‘so you can do such a role as well.’ My secret is very simple, I interpret my roles well. I don’t look at Femi Adebayo when I am acting. If the character is foolish or a drunk, I have to bring myself to that level. If I have to play an arrogant role then I have to be arrogant. If I have to be a wife basher then I have to be a wife basher. If I am playing a doctor I know how a doctor gets upset. The way a doctor gets upset is different from the way a Danfo driver would get angry.

You can be best described as?

Simple, Godly, friendly and nice.

Who are the people you can’t live without?

I can’t live without my children, my wife, my parent’s family and my fans; there will be no Femi without my fans.

What are the roles you cannot play?

There is no role I cannot play as long as it is morally sound for our culture; if it is not morally sound then I can’t.

As a child, were you a popular kid or were you reserved?

I was a very popular child and very outspoken. Among my friends I was very naughty; I always wanted to champion causes; I was quite naughty.

Can you share one of those things you did back then?

There was this woman that was close to the family. She usually came around to visit my mum. There was this time she came around and she was heavy with child. She told my mum that I didn’t greet her well when she came into the house. But I did and I told my mum but mum spanked me and I was really angry. So I made sure to pay her back before she left. I pretended I was playing then I took a big stick and hit her! My mum shouted that at me because she knew it was because of what had happened earlier that I did it. That day she beat the hell out of me. My mum got it right because I did what I did intentionally. The woman is late now but before her  death we became very close and I still relate well with her kids.

What are those lessons your father taught you that you still hold close to your heart?

He taught us all to be good and respectful. He taught us to always have the fear of God in our hearts and also that we have to be hard working; he laid a lot of emphasis on that.

When should we expect you at the cinemas?

Very soon. It is a project for next year actually. We have started working on the script as I speak to you. We are hitting the cinemas in a big way next year. It is a 70 per cent English language and 30 percent Yoruba language movie and I am producing.

Any regrets in life?

No regrets.