Nollywood actor and filmmaker Lateef Adedimeji has revealed that his emotional performances, particularly his ability to cry on screen, were part of a conscious effort to stand out in the highly competitive film industry.
Speaking during an interview on The Morayo Show, the actor explained that breaking into Nollywood was not easy and that he knew he needed something distinctive that would make audiences remember him.
Lateef recalled that in the early stages of his career, many people recognised him because of his resemblance to an established actor in the industry.
He said: “When I came into the industry, it was quite challenging. I resembled one of my senior colleagues whom I love so much.
He continued: “People would say, ‘That guy who resembles Odun, Odun’s brother.’ It was a beautiful thing because they were comparing me to someone great, but at the same time, as a practitioner, people need to know you for something of you.”
While he appreciated the comparisons, he was determined to build an identity that was uniquely his own.
According to him, leaning into emotional roles and becoming known for his ability to deliver heartfelt scenes helped him carve out a place for himself and gain wider recognition.
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He said: “So I had to sit, did a lot of research, I asked myself, ‘What is it that people are not paying much attention to that is still important?’ So if I were given a role where I only had to shed tears for two seconds, I would mount pressure on it and make those tears come well.”
He continued: “So at one point, people started calling me a crying machine. They didn’t know my name, but they would say, ‘That guy who cries so much in movies’ when describing me.
He said:”That was when I knew I was getting somewhere because people were beginning to identify me with something that is of me; then, eventually, you get to know my name.”
The actor also stressed the importance of versatility in sustaining a long career in entertainment, noting that performers must be willing to develop different skills and adapt to various roles and opportunities.
He concluded: “As an entertainer, you have to be versatile. You have to know a bit about everything.”