Oyindamola Sanni is a gorgeous and talented Nollywood Actress and Movie Producer. She is mostly known for her role as Olatorera in “Anikulapo – Rise of the Spectre” but Oyindamola has been in the industry for quite a long time, dating back to 2017.
She has starred in many movies which include but are not limited to Kakanfo (2020), Try Again (2020), A Naija Christmas (2021), Arinfesesi (A Day of Misfortune), Konsho Konsho, Banke, Splinter, Aditu (2023), etc.
In an exclusive interview with Streamdorm, Oyindamola had these to say about her personal and career as an Actor and Producer.
How do you feel about your success so far in Nollywood?
I’m super excited to have been a part of Anikulapo and the sweetest part of it is the fact that I played a major role. I feel honored because I have always been a big fan of Mr Kunle Afolayan (The producer and director).
Oyindamola is a naturally talented actress with a whole lot of charisma, energy and professionalism. This has been shown in not one but all of the movies in which she has played a role in and that includes her role in Anikulapo – Rise Of The Spectre by Kunle Afolayan.
Anikulapo series is a continuation of Kunle Afolayan blockbuster movie Anikulapo (Movie) that was released on 30 September, 2022, starring Kunle Remi, Bimbo Ademoye, Sola Sobowale and many Nigeria finest actors including his daughter Eyiyemi Afolayan.
“Anikulapo – Rise Of The Spectre” is a six episode epic series, which premiered on Netflix on 1 March, 2024, took on a new dimension after what was believed to be the second death of the main character Saro, after his fall out with his Queen wife Arolake (Bimbo Ademoye).
In the series, he was tasked with the duty of bringing back the lives of the people which he resurrected from death in Anikulapo (Movie) but was later able to possess a human body that enabled him to live life again as a normal person.
His life took a new turn after he was blessed by the spirit of the deceased he was to return to “Orun” with and started selling palm wine where he met Olatorera (Oyindamola Sanni), meanwhile, fate was still going to take its course as he and Arolake were being searched for in the Oyo Empire by the King and Bashorun as a result of their past deeds in Anikulapo (Movie).
How do you fell about your success so far in Nollywood?
I’m thankful to God for growth. Although I am not where I wanna be but I am far above where I started from and I’m immensely grateful to God.
Your talent spreads beyond Yoruba movies and English movies, I’m certain if you can speak all languages the outcome will be the same, what can you say is the secret sauce you bring to these movies?
I give it my all. Aside the fact that I am delightful, appealing and enchanting to my viewers, For each role I get, I always develop creative insight into who my character is and how my viewers should perceive them. It’s important to express each character in an original and engaging way.
There’s a lot an actor/actress put before filming, once casted for a role how will you describe your process before and after getting on set.
I read my script about 3 times before going on set so as to have a deep and proper understanding of the story and most importantly my character. I also look for the intention behind why a character thinks, speaks, and acts the ways they do. It allows me to flesh out my character and create consistent narrative logic.
A lot of people know you from Anikulapo, but before that, you had many prominent and impactful roles in Nollywood movies like A Naija Christmas, Arinfesesi, and The Predos. Do you feel offended when people recognize you only for your characters, and how do you go about setting the record straight?
Honestly I don’t feel offended. Instead I’m always grateful to God for making it possible for me to have been a part of Anikulapo series. In all, the most important and sweetest feeling is being recognized for what you enjoy doing regardless of the movie title.
In the series Anikulapo – Rise Of The Spectre, Oyindamola played the role of Olatorera, the daughter of the village palmwine seller Karowi. Saro (Kunle Afolayan) arrived at her village as a nobody who did menial jobs to survive but one day mysteriously started selling palmwine due to the help of the deceased spirits he was tasked to take to the afterlife.
Olatorera fell deeply in love with Saro even though he was an enemy to her father because the villagers stopped buying palmwine from him and started buying from Saro because they believed his palmwine tasted better, Olatorera later left her father to be with Saro and later became pregnant for him.
Oyindamola played the character Olatorera so well that she gained more prominence and recognition on the media and movie lovers worldwide.
What controversial take relating to the film making industry would you stand on?
Who puts in more work between the Cast and the Crew of a movie to make it what it is.
At what point did you decide acting was the future?
The acceptance I got from the public when I started with short films and comedy skits inspired me to pursue a career in acting. I also realized Filmmaking is a huge platform to impact peoples lives.
As seen from her bio and other recent interviews she has been on, Oyindamola is a devoted Christian and a person who believes in impacting lives with her craft.
Tell us the story of your first audition and describe how you felt being on set.
I was nervous and I was very shy. Infact I wanted to enter the ground lol
It will be most accurate to say that Oyindamola has long moved from the days of her first audition to becoming a professional actor in the Nigeria Movie Industry.
Nollywood is a dark place according to many… Have you encountered that darkness and what advice will you give to other upcoming actresses on navigating the darkness.
Well in my own case, It wasn’t like that. I just put in the work as I also was determined. My advice to upcoming actresses is to be humble, consistent, pray always for God’s direction, never give up and most importantly Never be desperate.
What plays a major role in a movie success, the budget or the market?
It actually depends. Sometimes it’s the budget, other times it’s the market.
If you’re giving the offer to return to any role for a movie you’ve played before, what movie do you hope that is and why?
Of course Olatorera in Anikulapo
A lot of people wonder why Nollywood actors and actresses suddenly and unexplainably become rich, using your experience in the industry can you let people on what they do.
Aside getting paid to feature in a movie, the fame introduces us to endorsements from inside and outside the industry which automatically comes with money and other goodies.
What’s Next?
My movie titled “TIARAOLUWA” is coming out in August. It features amazing actors like Afeez Oyetoro (Saka) Mide Martins, Jumoke Odetola, Afeez Abiodun, Kiki Bakare, among others. I also produced my cinema debut and it will be out end of this year by God’s Grace. It’s an amazing movie; the story is everything and more, very emotional, captivating, dramatic, and very relatable.
You’ve seen it here. Watch out for her movie “Tiaraoluwa” coming out in August. It promises to be an amazing watch and I am sure will be a thrilling movie to add to your watch list coming August.
YouTube – HoneydeeTv
