Popular veteran actress, Folake Aremu, who is fondly called Orisabunmi was a force to reckon with within the Yoruba film industry within the 80’s with a well-liked flick titled “Arelu”, a requirement watch Yoruba Film then among Yoruba film lovers. The film was packaged together with her estranged husband, Jimoh Aliu, also popularly referred to as Aworo, before they went their separate ways.
This beautiful and ageless actress was an educator before the veteran actor, Jimoh Aliu discovered her in Ilorin. In many of the plays and films, she has featured in, she takes up the role of a priestess with magical powers expressed in incantations and a few other mysterious manifestations and these has endeared her to several viewers for several years.
In this chat, she talked about her 42 years journey within the film industry . Her 36 years marriage to ex-husband Jimoh Aliu. How he made her famous with the role of Orisabunmi in his movie, which has remained her pseudonym till date. And why people find it difficult taking over the roles she plays in movies. Below are the excerpt.
You are use to acting a specific role in movies, why has it been difficult for others to act your role perfectly in movies?
Laughs!!! Ah, many people can still try it too. the reality of the matter, is that, we are blessed differently from Godhead . Moreover, it's what you've got , that you simply can give. it's what you've got learnt and known, that you simply can showcase. I pray people will learn and be ready to interprete such roles, even quite I do, by the special grace of God.
How long have you ever been doing this?
It has really been a short time , honestly, if i'm not mistaking, it should be up to 41 to 42 years within the industry.
What are the changes you've got seen now compared to what the film industry has been within the past?
You know, we are during a jet age, and everything is computerised now, so there are many difference and changes within the industry. above all from the equipment we use, it's different from what it use to be like. within the past, there was no phone, or maybe watch movies on the web , so everything has changed, those camerals we use then, are not any more in use.
Things keeps changing on day to day . I only pray that Godhead to spare our lives so we will keep seeing of these new innovations.
Did you undergo any kind of training before acting?
Yes, I give God all the glory, I learnt it. i used to be trained under my husband Baba Jimoh Aliu. He has been a really good and great person to me and that i appreciate all, he did on behalf of me . He made me the star i'm today.
What were you doing before you started acting?
I was an educator in Ilorin, once I met Jimoh Aliu, on sighting me, he expressed his interest in me and invited to their location, where they were shooting a movie. I took a task within the movie, and that i did it so naturally, and this made it difficult for him to let me go which how my acting career started. I acted the role of Orisabunmi which is that the pseudonym people call me till date.
Lots of people don’t even know your real name, what's your real name and explain better, how you happened the name Orisabunmi?
My name is Folake Aremu, popularly referred to as Orisabunmi. Like I earlier said, I got it from Baba Jimoh Aliu, that's the pseudonym , he gave me, and that i am grateful to God, that ever since I started bearing that name, it's never been related to any sort of scandal.
God has really been faithful. and that i will forever be grateful to him for all the grace and mercy upon my life.
Did you undergo extra training to find out about all the incantation and other things related to the role you're taking in movies?
I was born into it, then I interprete it naturally, i'm from a masquerade lineage.
So I learnt it from childhood, and that i realize it perfectly, right from childhood. that's why many people find it difficult taking over that role, because it's not something you'll easily learn. So it's inbuilt on behalf of me and it require tons to interprete it perfectly that's why it's pretty difficult, but I pray with time, we'll have many stars which will also interprete it perfectly.
What is the key of your ageless look?
Laughs!! the reality is that God is that the secret behind my look. He has always been there on behalf of me all the time, and that i don’t have any reason to urge worry about things happening around me. Also I as an individual , I don’t do quite myself, it's once you start doing thing that are quite you, you begin stepping into trouble. i'm contented with what I even have . I don’t envy people or look down on anybody. i'm satisfied and grateful for all God has blessed me with.
Once you remain where God has placed you, you won’t experience any sort of disgrace or disappointment. But once you begin , doing quite yourself, then trouble is predicted to play your door. Thank God for my life.
What is the advise you've got for upcoming movie stars within the indusry?
My advise to them is that, they ought to be truthful in everything they are doing . And also to twiddling my thumbs . Once you've got these two things in your life. there's nothing you can’t achieve in life. in particular be prayerful. it's vital to always pray so God can intercede in everything.
Source: Opera News