I’ve cried several times due to frustration –Abdullateef Adedimeji

Abdullateef Adedimeji

’Nonye Ben-Nwankwo, and Ademola Olonilua

Abdullateef Adedimeji is unarguably one of the most sought after male artistes in the Yoruba speaking sector of Nollywood. Known to always beam with smiles, the young man said that things have not always been rosy for him and there are times he had almost given up on his dreams.

He said that unknown to many of his fans today, the same face that always wears a smile was once known for tears due to the frustration he faced in the early days of his career.

“There was a time I went to the location of ‘Omo Mushin’ by Murphy Afolabi but I left the set in tears when people were asking who I was. Along the line, I joined Muyiwa Ademola, Adebayo Tijani and Afeez Owo and I told them of my intention, that I loved acting. I was then informed that they pay dues which I did and ever since I became a part of it, I started doing one scene and gradually, the roles came calling.

“I have cried a lot out of frustration on this job. There was a day I cried and had to call Ibrahim Chatta informing him that I was leaving the industry. I told him that I would dust my certificate and get a 9-5 job because I was tired and suffering. But Ibrahim advised me against doing such. He told me that I could not leave at that stage because I was making tremendous progress. I also called Muyiwa Ademola and he said if a lot of people would leave, I should not be one of them and if I still insisted on leaving, then it meant I was mad because I was at a stage where things could only get better. He advised me to endure the hardship for a little while if I really wanted to make it. He said that I should not think about the money but face the job and reminded me that there were people looking up to me; so I took his advice. With time, it is beginning to pay off and I know it will get better,” he said.

The thespian also said that he was aware people compared him to star actor, Odunlade Adekola, but he did not see any similarities between them.

He said, “I don’t know why people think we act alike. Odunlade is a great thespian, a senior colleague and he is a boss. I think the fact is that his face has been registered in the minds of so many people, so when they see someone they feel looks like him, they begin to compare. As for me, I am not imitating him. I try to be myself. Acting comes naturally to me.”