Popular veteran actress, Folake Aremu, who is fondly called Orisabunmi was a force to reckon with in the Yoruba movie industry in the 80’s with a popular flick titled “Arelu”, a must watch Yoruba Film then among Yoruba film lovers. The film was packaged with her estranged husband, Jimoh Aliu, also popularly known as Aworo, before they went their separate ways.
This beautiful and ageless actress was a teacher 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 some other mysterious manifestations and these has endeared her to many viewers for many years.
In this chat with City People Senior Showbiz Reporter, BIODUN ALAO, she talked about her 42 years journey in the movie 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 stage name till date. And why people find it difficult taking up the roles she plays in movies. Below are the excerpt.
You are use to acting a particular role in movies, why has it been difficult for others to act your role perfectly in movies?
Laughs!!! Ah, lots of people can still try it too. The truth of the matter, is that, we are blessed differently from God Almighty. Moreover, it is what you have, that you can give. It is what you have learnt and known, that you can showcase. I pray people will learn and be able to interprete such roles, even more than I do, by the special grace of God.
How long have you been doing this?
It has really been a while, honestly, if I am not mistaking, it should be up to 41 to 42 years in the industry.
What are the changes you have seen now compared to what the movie industry has been in the past?
You know, we are in a jet age, and everything is computerised now, so there are lots of difference and changes in the industry. Most especially from the equipment we use, it is different from what it use to be like. In the past, there was no phone, or even watch movies on the internet, so everything has changed, those camerals we use then, are no more in use.
Things keeps changing on daily basis. I only pray that God Almighty to spare our lives so we can keep seeing all these new innovations.
Did you go through any sort of training before acting?
Yes, I give God all the glory, I learnt it. I was trained under my husband Baba Jimoh Aliu. He has been a very good and great person to me and I appreciate all, he did for me. He made me the star I am today.
What were you doing before you started acting?
I was a teacher in Ilorin, when 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 role in the movie, and I did it so naturally, and this made it difficult for him to let me go and that how my acting career started. I acted the role of Orisabunmi and that is the stage name people call me till date.
Lots of people don’t even know your real name, what is your real name and explain better, how you came about the name Orisabunmi?
My name is Folake Aremu, popularly known as Orisabunmi. Like I earlier said, I got it from Baba Jimoh Aliu, that is the stage name, he gave me, and I am grateful to God, that ever since I started bearing that name, it has never been associated with any form of scandal.
God has really been faithful. And I will forever be grateful to him for all the grace and mercy upon my life.
Did you go through extra training to learn about all the incantation and other things associated with the role you take in movies?
I was born into it, and so I interprete it naturally, I am from a masquerade lineage.
So I learnt it from childhood, and I know it perfectly, right from childhood. That is why lots of people find it difficult taking up that role, because it is not something you can easily learn. So it is inbuilt for me and it require a lot to interprete it perfectly that is why it is pretty difficult, but I pray with time, we will have lots of stars that can also interprete it perfectly.
What is the secret of your ageless look?
Laughs!! The truth is that God is the secret behind my look. He has always been there for me all the time, and I don’t have any reason to get worry about things happening around me. Also I as a person, I don’t do more than myself, it is when you start doing thing that are more than you, you start getting into trouble. I am contented with what I have. I don’t envy people or look down on anybody. I am satisfied and grateful for all God has blessed me with.
Once you remain where God has placed you, you won’t experience any form of disgrace or disappointment. But once you start, doing more than yourself, then trouble is expected to knock on your door. Thank God for my life.
What is the advise you have for upcoming movie stars in the indusry?
My advise to them is that, they should be truthful in everything they do. And also to be patient. Once you have these two things in your life. There is nothing you can’t achieve in life. Above all be prayerful. It is very important to always pray so God can intercede in everything. .
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