SULTRY ACTRESS, BANKE ADEWUNMI BUYS #10million PORSCHE CAYENNE: SHE SPEAKS ON HER CAREER IN THIS INTERVIEW!

One of the toasts of movie producers right now is Banke Adewunmi. She is a graduate of Micro Biology, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, Ogun State. She started her career in 2010. Since then, she has been waxing stronger and stronger. She is also the CEO, Glitters and Glamour, Magodo, Lagos. In this interview with  with an online magazine, the gorgeous and brilliant thespian narrated her journey so far. The Ilaro, Ogun born role interpreter cum business woman also opened up on sundry issues, including sex-for-roles, life, career and many more.

Let’s know how the journey into acting started?

My foray into acting began sometime in September 2009. I have always been  in love with acting, even when I was a kid. When I was in secondary school, I wanted to be in art class but when the Junior West African Examination Council (WAEC) results came out, I did well in science subjects. That eventually put me in science class in Senior Secondary School (SS 1) because we were graded by our results. So, I was posted to a science class. The principal told me that if I wanted to be in art class, I had to tell my parents to inform the school authority about my decision. When I got home, I explained everything to my parents. I told them that I wanted to be an actress, that’s why I loved to study the Arts instead of science subjects. But they kicked against it. They said they’re not comfortable with the way people talked about the profession. So, I had to accept my parents’ decision because I was too young to decide on my own. But at that I was still attending art classes, I didn’t want to go to science class. One of my teachers told me that I would fail if I refused to go to science class because my name was not on the list of art students. That’s why I had to go back to science department. After my secondary school, I got admission into Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU). That’s 2003. I studied Micro Biology, and graduated in 2008. I did my National Youth Service Corps scheme in Abuja. Along the line, even before I finished my degree, I was always a business person. And after my youth service, I continued my business. After a while, I discovered that I was no longer a kid, I just decided to go into acting. That was in  2010. Since then, I have been doing movies. I have decided to make a career out of it.

How would you describe the experience so far?

One has to be honest, it has not been easy because of the way some people behave in the industry. There is always this issue of caucus. But in my caucus, I have always been invited to movie sets, where I played some roles. And it has been wonderful.

Which caucus do you belong?

I belong to Odunfa Caucus. I have done quite some movies, including Ifegbona, King Search, Eja Tutu, oruka Ojosi and others but I am yet to feature as a lead actress. But now, I am working on my own production. Very soon, work will begin.

How much have you earmarked for the movie?

It’s going to cost a lot of money. It’s surely a high budget flick. I pray I get sponsors because it may be difficult for me alone to foot the bill. But in everything I do, God has always been my pillar of support. And I am very sure, He won’t disappoint me in the project.

What’s the title of the movie?

At the beginning like this, what you can only have is called working title, which may be changed later. It all depends on the development that unfolds as you progress. As of now, I have Asake Atole or Eje mi (my blood). I am still contemplating not using Eje mi because the title will not keep people in suspense. It will be very easy for them to guess how the movie would end.

One thing is that people can easily predict what’s going to happen in the next scene, which, to me it’s not good. That’s why I just feel I should concentrate on Asake Atole.

Who are the stars the movie is expected to parade?

I am still working on the list. But I am hoping to feature Funke Akindele, Sunny Ali, Femi Adebayo and other notable faces that may be drawn mainly from Odunfa Caucus. I still have to consult my bosses in the caucus.

Are you aware of the rumoured “sex for role syndrome in the industry?

Yes, it’s real.

Have you experienced it?

I said it’s real but that doesn’t mean I have experienced it. I don’t even want to comment further on that. They won’t want to call you for a job unless you do one or two things with them. Left to me, I think I am above that.

That’s why I just do those ones I can do and ignore those who may attach unnecessary conditions to feature me. I have made up my mind, I can’t sleep with anybody because I want to appear in a movie. I am still repeating it, I’m not in any way ready to sleep with anybody for one useless role. It’s God that makes a star.

Even, not until you feature in 1,000 movies. That same God that has been helping me all this while will continue to be with me in my career and business.

That’s why I have decided to produce my movie and from there I would pick up, which is the best alternative open to you as an upcoming actress.

That means you might have also faced a lot of sexual harassments…

(Cuts in) There is sexual harassment in the industry. It’s not easy making it without being sexually harassed. Some people think it’s like trade by barter.

It’s real. There should be a level playing ground for all without attaching any dirty condition. People should be allowed to showcase their God  given talents without any hinderance.

You’re very pretty, how do you cope with male admirers?

It’s normal to see men making advances at you as a lady whether you’re fine or not, whether you’re an actress or not.

I have male admirers. It’s just normal, men will always be men. But the most important thing is to handle the situation maturely and politely. Left to me, I don’t have time for men now. What’s important to me is my career, after that, my business.

You’re also into business, you’re the CEO, Glitter and Glamour, what is it all about?

I am into fashion accessories. I deal in shoes, dresses of different colours and sizes for women. I do male stuff as well but only on order. I am also into cream business. I do my own cream, Glitter and Glamour and I also import some.

How do you juggle business and acting?

It has not been really easy. But I have some girls taking care of my business for me when I am not around. Now, I want to really have time for my career. And one can’t be on location every day.

You look so comfortable, what’s the secret?

No other secret apart from God, my Creator.

Are you in a relationship right now?

Honestly, I have a man in my life but I don’t want to talk about him now.

We learnt you just acquired a new ride, Porsche Cayenne, worth N10 million, how true is it?

It’s true I just acquired a white Porsche Cayenne but I can’t disclose the amount I bought it. I give God all the glory.

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About Unknown

Deji Sadiq, a.k.a DEJI OF LAGOS is a LASU trained Economist turned freelance journalist, a Blogger, an information strategist, a public affairs analyst and a committed activist with a passion for equal opportunities.