I’m not Fela’s hidden son —Titi Kuti

Featuring as a lead character in a blockbuster movie is the dream of every actor. This dream seemed to have come to life for producer turned actor, Titi Kuti as he was one of the lead characters in the popular movie, The Return of the King. In this interview with Adeola Otemade, the actor gives expository details on how he transitioned from being a behind-the-scenes act to one of the leading actors in the much talked-about movie.

Acting the role ‘Ade Tiger’ in the movie ‘King of Boys’ gave you a much-recognised face in the movie industry. How were you able to pull this off?

First is God who makes all things possible; hard work, determination and dedication came after. I met Kemi in 2017 during a courtesy visit to Sola Sobowale on a set around the time King of Boys was about to commence. I had just concluded filming and my hotel camp was about 10 minutes away. So I decided to stop by for a long overdue visit. We had a great chat, got along almost immediately and then she mentioned the Ade Tiger role to me for part one. i was looking at Sola Sobowale’s face like something had been discussed earlier. Till this day I do not know if it was a premeditated or orchestrated. There was already an actor in camp to play the role, but Remi, Kemi’s brother, was paid his full remuneration to relieve him so I could take on the role. With no bad blood, I was given the script and contract; that is how the journey began as I ended up not going back home that night.

The movie ‘King of Boys’ has caused much frenzy, being the talk of the town and a much-appreciated work from Kemi Adetiba. How do you feel being part of this great project?

It feels very good, not just for myself but for the entire cast and crew who gave their blood for the project. Our footprints are in the sands of time for participating in a film considered to be one of the exceptional turning points of the Nollywood narrative with a redefined projection of the strength and delivery of our stories both home and abroad.

Would you have ever thought of betraying ‘Eniola Salami’, a character in the movie?

People forget that actors do not write their own scripts. But no, nobody betrays Laburu and gets away with it. However, I understand the shock effect from all the twists across the episodes. Trust me, all the actors felt the same way while reading the script. Every single one of us was knocked out with thrill and unpredictability of events. I personally read the script like a novel three times, before I even started getting ready for character delivery.

What does loyalty means to you? 

It means everything. But it can only be given to and received from those who deserve it. If you are not capable of loyalty you are not deserving of. Loyalty comes at a very high cost, mostly self-sacrificial. You don’t want to give that up for someone who wouldn’t do the same for you. Don’t get me wrong, the level and degree of sacrifice amongst people cannot be equal or the same. Just like love, there is no equality in loyal, but there will always be events and occurrences that will call for demonstration of heart. It is in those moments you will know loyalty or betrayal without heart; loyalty has no definition or purpose.

Who is Ade Tiger?

Ade Tiger is a calm but very rugged and fearless hitman who also happens to be the closest thing to a child for an Underworld Tycoon-turn-politician ‘Eniola Salami’ also called ‘Oba’ or ‘Laburu’ consequent on her two children being murdered by political adversaries trying to kill her). He is very loyal and dedicated to her, and will give anything to support her ambition, even his life. He will do anything she says in a blink. He listens to nobody else and is her most confident and executioner when it comes to eliminating her enemies. He does everything to defend her crown as the king of the underworld.

Who is Titi Kuti?

Easy going guy, gentle but quite outspoken and can be very daring, adventurous and never afraid to try something new, never afraid of failure and never afraid to try again. An unrelenting dream chaser that never accepts defeat as the end game. There’s no such thing as impossible in my dictionary. I am a staunch optimist who is always willing to see the good in people until proven otherwise. I have never been afraid to trust people but not blindly or with naivety. I am an all-round average guy on the block that makes no trouble and likes to enjoy life experiences.

Your love for entertainment was born out of what? Passion, love for fame, money?

Pure passion. I have been gravitating towards creativity and arts since my childhood days and I’ve always been keenly expressive about it. My parents were quite strict, very principled and very emphatic on education, but somehow there was always a balance and they never discouraged me for once or listened to public opinion in respect to my interest.

I had been going for modelling auditions and had dreadlock as early as age 17. This was an era when such look was considered very irresponsible and all my peers who had equally strict parents couldn’t dare go beyond a low cut, and I know many of their parents were always having conversations with my dad about my looks. It remained a silent self-caution for me to be guided and not abuse that trust from an early age, and I grew with it.

 If you were not into entertainment, what would you have been doing?

I would either be in the army, or be a pilot. The army was always my first love during my childhood days and I have always had the spine for it, even till now.

Would you say entertainment in Nigeria has evolved over the years?

The past 20years have been a tremendous leap, with the progress growing at a geometric proportion each passing year. Our stories are stronger, content is more original, the skill level of practitioners has also greatly developed. Many of our practitioners can function on the international scene now, our voices are being heard all over the world. We are being respected more by the day and with very little or no support, a lot of practitioners have been able to create magic from nothing. There is still room for a lot of improvement, but we are definitely on the right path and the eye of the world is on us. It is by far one of the industries making a positive impression about our country and Africa in general.

How was working with Kemi Adetiba, Toni Tonnes, Shola Sobowale…

It was an amazing experience; we were all working with one spirit, and the will for achieving the best came first before anything else. Each and everyone of us took ownership of the project and we all covered each other’s backs. We went through thick and thin because trust me, there were challenges, huge ones too, but we were like a chain with no weak links, because everybody treated each other like the success of the project would not be achieved without the other person. We were each other’s support system, and the support was strong. In the end I am glad it was all worth it.

Are you in any way related to the Kuti Family?

Everybody asks me this question when they hear my name. The answer is yes; it is the same family tree, quite large now but we are related. I am, however, not Fela’s hidden last son as many have speculated. My father’s name is Tunde and he is still very much alive.

How have you been able to keep a low profile all these years?

For a while I have been behind the camera working on productions at different capacities of management from producer, to line producer, production manager, and several other capacities. I am sure acting still comes as a surprise to many who know me as a production person. So I am relatively known in the industry; but for a very long time, not as an actor. I am sure now some of the projects I have been on will resurface again and some will remember me for them.

How do you ward off women’s advances considering your physical looks?

When people approach me or complement me, it’s all positive vibe and energy. It’s a good thing, it becomes wrong when one tries to take advantage, and that is one place you will not find me (taking advantage of people). So I accept every complement warmly, but never take advantage of them.

How do you balance work, family and leisure time?

It is a simple thing (much simpler than it sounds); you just have to separate them and never let them mix, and family should always be the most private of your affairs. This does not apply to stardom alone, but everybody; respect the privacy of your home if you want it to last.

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