Adebayo Salami has marked 60 active years in Nigeria’s film industry, celebrating a journey rooted in passion, discipline, and storytelling, NaijNaira can report.
In an interview with The Nation, the veteran actor and filmmaker shared how he began acting at the age of 12, driven purely by his love for culture—not fame or money.
“I saw Chief Dr. Hubert Ogunde in a TV drama called Village Doctor, and I said to myself, this is what I want to do,” he recalled.
Salami noted that while the industry has evolved through different stages—from stage plays to cinemas and now global streaming platforms—the fundamentals must remain intact.
“There’s a world of difference between stage and film. Stage gave us discipline. Today, that discipline is lacking in some quarters,” he said.
He praised younger talents for their skill and education but pointed out many lack knowledge of Nollywood’s roots.
“Some of them don’t know Ogunde, Baba Sala, or Oyin Adejobi. That’s the foundation. You must know where you’re coming from,” he said.
Despite his fame, Salami said he never pressured any of his children into joining the film industry.
“They studied different things—law, geology, computer science. Acting was their personal choice,” he explained.
He emphasized that his children earned their roles based on merit. Femi Adebayo’s breakout in Owo Blow happened without the director knowing he was Salami’s son.
“No producer worth anything should cast based on sentiment,” he added. “If you do that, you destroy your story.”
When asked about sexual harassment, he blamed some aspiring actors for offering themselves to directors but maintained that disciplined professionals never exploit talent.
“I won’t let you near me if I sense any form of that. A good director doesn’t cast for favors,” he stressed.
Speaking on structure and discipline in Nollywood, Salami lamented the rise of unprofessionalism.
“In our time, if you missed your call time, you were replaced. I still use that rule. I double-cast to ensure quality,” he said.
His latest film, Her Excellency, tackles marital tension and ambition. According to him, women in powerful marriages must learn to balance roles without jealousy.
“Support your partner or the home suffers. That’s the point of Her Excellency,” he said.
Salami made it clear: retirement isn’t on his radar.
“Artists don’t retire. You just take new roles with age. If I stop, the talent will torment me,” he said with a smile.
Article updated 2 days ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
