HOW AKOBI LAAROYE WAS BIRTHED
Still celebrating the success of the film location of Akobi Laaroye 2 and equally appreciating the helping hands around this project. The producer of the movie “Akobi Laaroye” in person of Pastor Victor OLUKOJU visited the source and how this movie was birthed.
In the post he shared,
“Akobi Laaroye was once an assignment Evangelist Mike Bamiloye gave me, he asked me to produce a 15 minutes movie on the Dangers of Satanic Altars. Then, I came up with AKOBI LAAROYE. The 15 minutes assignment was my first epic as it were.
I wanted my Egbon Wole Olaleye to play that role at the institute but he strangely declined. He said “Bro Victor, I won’t…” not knowing it was divine. My group then said I should play the role, so I took up the challenge with my full hair. Bro Emmanuel Adedeji ADEKUSIBE directed it and it came out great.
Dr. Obembe Samuel Oluwaseyi brought the idea of ending his life on the electric pole you saw in season one! Joshua Mike-Bamiloye helped with the special effect hanging Awogbona on a pole!
Baami showed that 15 minutes version in Mount Zion Power Night. Watching it that day placed a burden of a full length movie in my heart.
I was at Bethel to discuss the burden with him and he encouraged me to go ahead.
The stage was set and we started planning. However, something strange happened. O ka mi lara gan an. The Director I chose by myself (Evangelist Isaac Femi Akintunde) insisted that my hair must be shaven, that no single hair must remain on my head to play the role of Awogbona. I fought the idea so hard but he stood his ground. Directors are powerful people.
So, my wife and I concluded to sacrifice my hair on the altar of Jesus. She and Bro Segun Badejo shaved off my hair right in our bedroom with my head bowed almost in tears. As the hair was going… I told myself that this must never be in vain.
I came out with so much “anger” and God’s presence. My eyes were red… Now, that explains the scene of Awogbona on the seat of the king when he banished him from Iyarako in season 1.
In my life, I’ve never acted that way before. I did not even know I could go that far! Ayoola Omolara Pmh and Ayoola Olugbenga Smh were trying to joke with me and encourage me as they always do but they noticed I was not responding at all… only speaking in tongues intermittently”
He furthermore appreciated the sacrifices made by casts and crew on the location who left their comfort zones all for the gospel, those that were there to encourage and pray with them and those that were praying along from their various homes. God bless you all.
Ifeoluwa ORISAKAHUNSI
C.E.O, gospelfilmsng