My Father Had 10 Wives – Kunle Afolayan

[emezico]

Kunle Afolayan had his path well cut out for him from childhood. His father was the late legendary movie maker, Ade Love. Kunle started dancing as a child and followed up with a career in acting, with a commendable debut as a young lad in Saworo Ide, where he played Aresejabata.

Well, he is no longer a boy-man and he has grown to become a moviemaker of note with three major movies to his credit. In this interview, Kunle (Mr. Figurine), speaks about the story behind the glory.

He was recently interview by newsmen, about his activities in Nollywood and personal life issue. 

I also learnt that you don't pay well. Is it true?
I'm sure I pay more than the average Nollywood producer in this country. But, really, nobody had ever asked me 'why are you paying me this?' because in the first place, if they don't agree to act in the film we cannot work together. So, for any actor to agree to act in a film, he must be satisfied with the pay. The A-list artistes that are always ready to work with me know that I pay well. They get better earning from my films than most other films. I pay according to what is on the budget, what is available and what the budget can accommodate. So, I pay well.

How much do you pay?
There is no fixed rate in this industry. So if I have a film I think Rita Dominic can feature in, if the budget for that role is a particular amount, I'll call Rita Dominic and say, look, I have work for you or rather we are considering you for this role and this is the amount we have on our budget. If it is okay with her, she would say, 'okay, I'll do it, I love it.' But, if it is not okay with her, she would say, 'I'm afraid I can't'.

And that is it, because you just have to work by the budget. So, it is not all about Kunle Afolayan. It is about the budget of the film. But nobody has ever turned down my offer because of money. Like Rita and I, I was supposed to be part of her film that she just finished, but because I I travelled I couldn't make it. So, you can see we have understanding. There are so much more that you can benefit from.

You are here at this time of the night, meaning you are a busy man. How do you keep your home?
Well, I'm an entertainer, and there are lots of things that come with the kind of job I do and the kind of family I have. My family understands what I do and there is no hidden thing about me. The most important thing is to have a family that understands you; and that I have.

And your wife doesn't complain?
Of course, she does. Any average woman will complain. But by the time she brings her bill and I complain, she would see that if I don't work there would be no money. She would also understand that if you rub my back, I'll rub your back.

How do you make it up to her?
When she brings the bill you'll make sure you can live up to it, because that is when she would love you more and find justification for the kind of hours you put into the job. And when you have the opportunity to spend quality time with the family, just do it and spend good time with them.

What does she do?
I'm still trying to get a job for her. She is a computer analyst, a Master degree holder. For now, she is taking care of the home.

Is it true you had your first child outside wedlock?
What is wedlock? I don't know what that means in Africa. All I know is that I have children, but I had a child before I got married. But if it's called out of wedlock, so be it.

How many kids do you have with your wife?
Won kii ka omo f'olomo (meaning you can't count the children of other people). If you come to my house, you will see all of them.

As an entertainer, how do you cope with women?
I don't really have the time. Like tomorrow I would be here from 8 O'clock and I don't go home until 11 p.m. So, no distractions!

Are you saying any woman aside your wife is a distraction?
It is even more than a distraction, because all women will complain.

Did you ever consider being a polygamist?
I'll rather stay single than be a polygamist. The women won't be able to cope with me anyway. I don't know a woman that will want to marry someone like me. The one that has already married me is managing me because I'm so attached to my work. Of course, if you want to marry someone you will court for a little while and by the time she sees that this man is all about his work no woman would want to go into such.

Did your dad's experience as a polygamist affect your view about polygamy?
My father being a polygamist was as a result of his work. Back then, if you are doing stage play, no parent will release his or her child to you because they saw actors as irresponsible people. So for any woman to join your group you must try to cajole her and see if they can marry you. And that was why the likes of Ogunde, Duro Ladipo ended up with many women.

How many wives did your father have?
He had 10.

Do you know all of them?
Yes, definitely.

What position are you among his children?
7th

How many are you all together?
We are 25.

And you know all of them?
Yes. Twenty-five is not too much.

Do you guys do any family meeting?
Yes, we do.

How do you cope as a family with 25 kids?
They are all grown-ups. You can put 25 people inside this place now. I know them all and we are contributing to the development of this country. That is the good side of it.

How did you grow up in that setting?
I believe Chief (MKO) Abiola had double of that number and they grew up together. There are so many philanthropists in Nigeria that have large number of children and they are living fine.

Did he finance all your education?
Yes, till he died.

How old were you when he died?
I was about getting into the university.

So how did you finance your university education?
I am a hustler now. I hustle, I did some labor jobs, and in short I did a lot. I won't tell you all that now. When I do my biography I'll write it there.


The Sun

[emezico]