Why I Used My Own Daughter as Princess in Anikulapo - Kunle Afolayan

Fun fact: the young lady who plays the character of Princess Omowunmi in Anikulapo is none other than Kunle Afolayan's own daughter, Eyiyemi Afolayan.

During an interview with KAP TV, Kunle, the director of the movie opened up about why exactly he decided to cast his own daughter in the movie, and how he feels about her wanting to pursue a career in film. Here's what Kunle Afolayan said.

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"As the director of Anikulapo, how did you feel having your daughter on set?"

It felt good because at least I didn't have to pay her. Even though I was paying her directly or indirectly. But on a candid note, I was happy because when I got the script and I was trying to cast for the role, it is difficult in this part of the world to get child actors or teenage actors because 1) the school period, but I was glad that she was just rounding up and prepping for WAEC. And then, if you want to portray a princess, I think it is no given that the person has to be beautiful, and she is beautiful. And also, I give it to myself that I trained them well cuz it's also difficult to get someone of this age to speak Yoruba. Yes, her Yoruba was not like "all that" but she listened, she was trained, and she took the correction. It wasn't perfect but then I will say she put in her best and I think her best was worth everything.

"Can we say you are following your father's footsteps by introducing your daughter to filmmaking?"

My father did not actually encourage any of the children to feature or be part of film. He knew best, he knew what he wanted from us. But, towards the later part of his life before he passed, he did a film where he featured my sister who is also in this film [Anikulapo] and played Eyiyemi's mother. So we really didn't grow up - we go to set to see what they do, but we never got to feature in the films.

"As the director and her dad, how you feel about her wanting to pursue a career in film?"

I don't know. They're free to do whatever it is they want. Growing up, I felt so bad that my father didn't let us but of course he knew best. And I guess if we were allowed then or had started then, I probably won't be what I am now. I could have been distracted or I don't know, but I think God knows what He has in store for everyone, and I just thank God. But then again, I think she's got it in her. But then, education is important, so if she can balance the two. She's also good at singing. So if she can make the best of the natural talents God has given her, why not?

What do you think about Kunle Afolayan's decision to cast his daughter in the movie, and what do you think about what he said? Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment either below or on my Jide Okonjo Facebook post.

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