31st August, 2012
Star actor Muyideen Oladapo a.k.a. Lala spoke with P.M.NEWSEntertainment about his rise to fame, relationship with star actress Funke Akindele and other issues
Will you say the film titled ‘Ekuro’ brought you to the limelight?
I will say yes, because after that movie everyone was familiar with the name Lala because they love my performance in the movie.
Who is Lala?
Lala is Muyideen Oladapo, a native of Oshogbo. I had my primary education at Ansar-udeen Primary School, Oshogbo, and secondary school in Oshogbo, too. After the school cert, I started working; hustling here and there. I am currently a 200 level student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, studying Dramatic Arts.
Where were you working then?
I did casual jobs. I worked in a bakery in Ilesha, called Ajani Bread. The bakery is still there now. Before then I had learned Mechanical work in Osogbo for six years. It was after my graduation as an apprentice that I started the casual job. After sometime, I left there and came to Lagos to struggle. Because I had the experience as a local baker in Ilesha, I continued with the job here in Lagos. I started with a bakery in Aguda, Surulere in 1993 before leaving Surulere for Lagos Island where I also worked in another bakery. It was while working in the bakery that I met Dagunro. One day, I heard the sound of drum somewhere, and being a good drummer as well, I was interested in knowing where the sound was coming from, so I traced the sound to the location where they were playing the drums. When I got there, I realised that they were rehearsing a play, after which I walked up to their director and told him that I’m interested in joining them. He told me that I will have to pay a certain amount and that Dagunro is the main boss, he is just the director. But Dagunro was not around then. That was when I told him that I know Dagunro because he came from Oshogbo too, and his house is not far from ours.
After that, I struggled to get the money which was N1,500 then. I started rehearsing with them, and because Dagunro was not really into home videos then, we did more of stage performances; meanwhile, I was still working in the bakery. So in 1995, after I had spent two years in the group, they decided to shoot a movie in Badagry. Because of this, I told the management of the bakery where I work to excuse me for one week because I will be travelling to my hometown. I didn’t tell them I was going to a movie location.
So you lied?
Yes. If I had told them that I’m going for a movie shoot, they will not allow me. Moreover, they were not aware that I was a member of any drama group.
Which role did you play in the movie? Were you given a script?
No, they didn’t give me a script. Ajere, Asipa and co were the stars on the set then because it was a traditional movie. During the film shoot, they needed a scene where someone will play drum for a king. The man that was supposed to play that role didn’t come, so I told our director that I can do it. Initially, he didn’t believe I can do it, but later, he told Dagunro who now instructed me to come for a try. When I convinced him, he gave me the role. I played it and everybody liked it. The film was titled Oba Mewa. But unfortunately, the movie could not be released because our boss lost his house and other things to a fire disaster.
I later went back to Surulere where the man who owns a bakery where I had initially worked allowed me to be sleeping in his parlour. Later, I started a barbing salon at Pako bus stop, in Surulere, Lagos and the man really supported me.
How did you meet Funke Akindele?
Dagunro really likes me because he said I’m hard working. So he handed me over to the late Yomi Ogunmola. When Ayo Adesanya wanted to produce her first movie titled Ebuka, directed by the late Yomi Ogunmola. I played the role of Olu Jacob’s son and Funke Akindele acted as house girl in the movie. That was how we got to meet. We were so close that every member of her family knows me. So, when she wanted to do the film titled Ekuro, she casted me as Lala. Before then, people knew me as Kososi, but she prefers to call me Demola.
We learnt that you were dating. How true is that?
We never dated. The problem is that when people see a guy and a girl doing things together, they will assume that they are dating. She is just my friend.
How close are you to her now?
We are still close, but not like before because both of us are very busy now doing our different things.
Having been in the industry for many years, why did it take you so long to have the break?
That is how it is in the industry. You need to pay your dues first before people will begin to know you.
How will you compare stage plays and movies?
They both have their advantages and disadvantages. Stage is a live thing and it is more difficult than movies because a single mistake can spoil the show. But in movies, even if you make mistakes, it can be edited. I am very happy that I have the opportunity to do both.
You are very popular for playing the roles of an Area Boy, how do you go about it?
I learn it from people who are the real Area Boys. We see them everyday all over Lagos. When I was running my barbing salon in Pako, I was the one that usually barb the Area Boys, so I know how they behave very well.
Do you smoke or drink?
No. That is actually something that surprise many people. If you ask people who really know me, they will tell you I neither smoke nor drink.
But you like women?
I like women the way every normal man would do. But I’m not promiscuous.
Are you married?
Yes, I’m married and I have two kids.
How do you make your money?
I work very hard, and you know that if you work very hard, you will make your money.
You are a big fan of Saheed Osupa, and your friend, Soji Taiwo supports Pasuma, how do you guys blend?
You see, I didn’t just like Saheed because he can sing. I really appreciate him whenever sings because he can sing. Pasuma is not my enemy. As a matter of fact, all my boys, including my brother are fans of Pasuma.
How were you able to move when Saheed and Pasuma had their crisis?
I have a clean mind, so when they were fighting, I had no business with that.
What is the new thing you are doing now?
I am working on my new film titled ‘Omo University’. The story talks about cultism in the universities. I did that film because when I got to OAU, I realised that cultism didn’t exist there. There might be cultists in the school, but they don’t disturb like they do in other schools that I have seen.
How do you relate with the lecturers and students?
They see me as a normal student and they are very helpful, but it is not easy because I do full time study and I only go to location during the holidays like the one I’m doing now.