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Veteran actor Fatai Adekunle Odua, popularly known as Lalude, has carved a distinctive niche for himself in the Nigerian film industry with his portrayal of traditionalists, priests and characters who deploy powerful incantations. With 56 years in theatre and more than 100 movies to his credit, the actor has remained relevant through several generations of Nigerian entertainment.
In this interview with Saturday Sun, he speaks about his decades-long career, dismisses the belief that he possesses mystical powers, and explains why he puts his health above any movie role. Excerpts:
You are known for roles that portray you as a traditionalist. You have played this role for years. How did you fall in love with it?
Back in the day in Lagos, we had a theatre house not too far from where I lived. Actors gathered there to rehearse in the evenings, and whenever they were practising, I would go there to watch what they were doing.
One day, the person who was supposed to play the priest wasn’t around, so they asked me to replace him. I did, and that’s what sparked my journey into theatre arts.
When you were asked to play the role, what gave you the confidence that you could do it?
It had nothing to do with confidence. I had been watching them for a while, and I enjoyed what they were doing. That was why I joined them.
How long have you been in the theatre business?
It has been 56 years since I started. The journey began in 1970, the year I made my debut. From then until now, when I look back at how far I have come, I feel grateful to God. I am even more thankful when I remember that some of those who started with me are no longer alive. Staying relevant until now is not by my ability; it has been only by the grace of God.
Many people know you as Lalude. Where did the name originate from?
We were at the National Theatre for rehearsals one day when our then chairman, Yinka Quadri, asked me what name I would like to adopt as my stage name. I told him I preferred Lalude.
I didn’t get the name on the job. I gave myself the name. I was born Fatai Adekunle Adetayo, but when I wanted to venture into the theatre business, I adopted the name Lalude.
What was your first pay as an actor back then?
Professionally, the highest pay I received back then was N1,500. Before that, when we started shooting home videos, we usually got N500 or N750, which gradually increased.
It may amaze you that during that period, we were satisfied with the amount because, in our eyes, it was huge. Some of our colleagues were receiving N150 or N200, respectively.
With over 50 years in the acting profession, what would you say has been your sustaining power?
Aside from the grace of God, one thing that has kept me going physically and mentally is that I exercise a lot and make an effort to stay fit. I don’t joke with my Eba, Amala and other good meals.
Recently, we have seen many veterans turn to social media to solicit funds for health-related issues. As a thespian, how health-conscious are you?
I am very particular about my well-being, and over time, I have learnt to listen to my body. I rest when the need arises. Although we all need money, I will not put my health at risk for the demands of shooting on location. If the job cannot wait for me to be healthy and fit, the producer is free to cast another person for the role.
However, you see some of my colleagues turning to social media only when their conditions become beyond their means. They should not be seen as beggars.
Looking back on those days and comparing them with today, which period do you prefer?
I prefer the present day because so much has changed. The monetary value of the pay we received then cannot be compared with what actors earn today. Back then, I could be the only person cast for the same role in 21 movies and still receive a very meagre sum of money. I remember being the highest-paid actor in those days. Compared with today, things are better, and the pay is higher.
Were you told at any point in your life that you would venture into theatre arts?
Not at all. My father wanted me to become a magistrate. I never would have believed it if someone had told me that I would eventually become an actor. This means no man controls his destiny; God controls our destiny.
People who have watched you over time have developed a sort of fear of you because they believe you possess some powers. What is your reaction to this?
I don’t possess any power; it is God who possesses all power. I am simply acting based on the roles given to me.
Everything ends on set because, in most cases, you cannot possess the same abilities you portray on set in real life. Acting is about bringing a character to life, and if you want people to appreciate the reality of your performance, you have to do it well. So, those who say I have spiritual powers because of how I am portrayed in movies should be careful what they wish for.
What was your reaction when skit makers first approached you to feature in their skits?
I was working on a project one day when I received a call from Oluwadolarz, who told me that he wanted me to feature in a skit.
What did you understand about skits at that time?
I had seen them making skits for some time, and I noticed how people appreciated what they were doing on social media. So, when Ola called, I was excited to be part of his project.
Much later, Mr. Macaronii also approached me. From our conversation, I learned that you can earn more money shooting one scene in a skit than shooting 10 scenes in a movie.
Would you choose skit-making over movie-making now that you know it pays better?
I am not going to deny the fact that skit producers pay well, but don’t forget that skit-making is just another arm of acting. My soul, body and heart are in acting. Of course, you cannot trade passion for money. It has always been like that, and I don’t think anything can take the place of acting in my heart.
How did you learn so much about incantations that you deploy them so easily in movies?
It is funny because I didn’t even learn how to use incantations from anyone. Before now, I used to write them down and study them line by line. But after a while, I mastered them so well that I no longer need a script to get into character when playing my roles.
Have you ever gotten into trouble with people who tried to test whether you have real powers?
It can happen to anybody. You don’t have to be a theatre person to experience such situations in real life. Some people may want to know the source of your power and try to provoke you.
But the beautiful thing about life is that if you don’t wish evil on anybody, no evil will come to you. Even when people try to hurt you, they eventually end up harming themselves.
What is your perception of the movie industry now and its expansion?
A few years ago, nobody could have imagined the industry would turn out this way, to the point that innovations brought about by social media would add so much value to our profession.
Back then, nobody knew there would be better ways to shoot movies or that anything like skit-making would exist.
