Akin Lewis is a familiar face on television having gathered over 50 years of screen time as an actor, director and producer. He became popular at a very age on sitcoms like ‘Why Worry’ and ‘Koko Close’ in the 80’s and has over the years, featured on many productions to become one of the most celebrated in Nollywood. The Oyo State born veteran, in this interview with ROTIMI IGE, speaks about his entertainment journey in the last 50 years, and why actors must get professional training, in order to be at their personal bests.
Tell us about your background and memories of your early life in Zaria?
That’s a long time ago really, I remember that my father used to work for The Nigerian Railway Corporation as an engineer and he was in what they called the ‘senior service’, so we lived in houses in big compounds with many trees. I had many friends. I remember growing up with Hausa and Igbo boys among other tribes and I learnt to speak all these languages. However, something happened that almost cost me my life and my father sent us to another city, I was almost killed actually. That was before the civil war.
Your acting career started at the age of 16, how was that for you?
Well for me, it wasn’t really a big deal. I had been acting since I was very little, doing children’s television plays and all. Then I got to secondary school and I was right in their literary, debating and dramatic arts association. By the time I landed my first acting gig, I knew exactly what I wanted to be, so it was big but at the same time I was prepared for it.
As a teenager, how were you able to navigate the glamour and fame?
Growing up, my father was a disciplinarian and you had to be straight. He beat all the bad behaviours out of me. I could literally see all the bad stuffs walk out of my life. I’m a very scheduled person; be on time, do only the right things, I’m very organised so that helped me a lot. When we started in theatre, it was a lot of hardwork. There was no money, it was just passion.
The value was solid, it was art for art’s sake and not about the money so whatever they asked me to do I did. I mean I had to train for a year before I could get on stage. It was that solid.
How did you land your roles in ‘Why worry’ and ‘Koko close’?
When I started in 1973, I had to wait my turn. I did a lot of telemovies and then ‘Why worry’ came in 1979 and I had just come back from the university. I got the lead role and it was incredible; a 24-year-old boy played the role of a 60-year-old man and then the first attempt failed. We did it again in 1980 and I was blown away; that was my first taste of fame. When ‘Why worry’ was rested, I got another role, this time playing the role of a younger person in ‘Koko close’. I think I would say this because someone would not say this for me, I was the best. I was an A at all levels and I would put my heart into everything I did. There was no way you won’t give me the job.
Tell us about your experiences in stage plays.
Stage is something else o. You know stage is very interactive. It is live, people are there watching, you have to believe they are not there and at the same time be aware that they are. Do not forget who you are. You cannot make a mistake and if you do, you must be versatile enough to turn it into an advantage. The thing is that if people applaud you on stage, you are very good. TV films you can shoot for a month and all the editing still happens, stage play is not like that. It was fun really then because we were young and very vibrant.
The movie industry at that time must have been very different from the Nollywood we have now. Tell us, what has changed over the years?
A lot has changed, first there is a lot of money which has corrected many things, they’re more people now, there are more gadgets and equipment now, creativity is just bursting loose, they’re very talented people now. So, that much has changed.
You have featured in a lot of drama series and movies, which would you say is your favourite?
That is a difficult question because for me, all these projects are like children. It doesn’t matter how many children you have, it is difficult to say this is my favourite even when you know which, you keep quiet. All I can say is, in 50 years I’ve done quite a lot that I’m proud of. I have great works that I can’t even remember but I remember those that have had and still have impact.
You bagged your first award in 1982. How do you feel about actors recognition in the industry in the present day?
With all due respect, the kind of training that we had, we were used to getting backed by people who know their mettle. When they refer to an academy, the committee must know. These days, the committee association may not know some of the criteria to consider me as a professional. I love when my works speak for me. Not because you like my face or what I wear or the car I drive. I have solid awards. They may be few but they are very solid such that when you enter my house, you would see them and I’m proud of them. Congratulations to everyone collecting the various awards but I’m not from that school of thought.
We know that acting can be very challenging. What role has been the most challenging for you?
Every role is challenging because I have to be someone else. I’m one of the most highly trained actors in Nigeria if I must say so. I have diploma certificates, a Master’s in theatre with a specialty in acting and directing and then I have a PhD . The thing is if I have a role, I have to study it and be that person. I even create things that the person might do. Acting is all about emotions; you cry, laugh, you’re sad, happy, at peace etc. People think that these things are easy until you get on and they beam the light on you. That’s when you know that it is not easy. Back in theatre school, we used to say the army is the hardest profession asides from theatre because you have to do theory, practicals, stage plays, rehearsals and projects and it must all be completed. It is difficult but all of my training brought out the best in me and that is always my motto. I always give my best.
In your 50 years of experience, how far would you say Nollywood has come?
When we started out it was just raw talents and passion and we wanted to do it. There was no money and I remember a lot of colleagues who fell by the wayside. At some point, I also had to work in the corporate world for a surplus income to be able to sustain the theatre spirit in me and to keep my family. Now, there are more funds, you do not even have to go to acting school, you can gather experience just from working with people like me. Even now, the gadgets have changed; in those days, people thought theatre was for dropouts. My objective was clear, I had to make it clear that I was not one.
Streaming platforms are well invested in Nollywood, is that a good sign for those invested in cinema and DVD releases?
DVD releases are dead now and that is advancement. Development is good for the industry. Everything is competition, the best will always win and some will survive. But it is good for us the practitioners.
Critics say Nollywood is no longer telling the original African stories as it should and is adopting the violence-prone style of Hollywood. Your say?
The world is a big place but the streaming platforms are forcing us to tell the original African stories now because that’s what they like now. They will tell you, “don’t tell us what we know, tell us what we don’t”. ‘Anikulapo’ won the best movie, it is not Hollywood style but they are watching it.
Do you have plans of retiring from acting?
Never! As a matter of fact, for me, it is a new beginning from now on. They say life starts at 40 but for me, it is starting at 50 and I am still working. I still got a script last night. On this job, you do not retire, your roles change. I used to be a kid actor, a teenager, casanova, playboy, father, billionaire etc. As long as you have strength physically, you are good. I’m grateful for that too.
How would you say your career as an actor has affected your love life?
Well, it has definitely drawn many women to me. Usually, they would want to meet you but it is up to you to know how to manage every situation.
What advice would you give to young talents who look up to legends like you in the industry?
I would keep saying it, make sure you are at the right place, make sure you get training, make sure you have talent. If you are too old for school, then go find people who can train you, then work hard and be consistent. A thespian who doesn’t understand that he is a role model hasn’t even started working. I’m much more than an actor, I’m a model in acting and in every sphere of life, so I must know how to conduct myself because people are watching you.
Many actors are no longer professionally trained especially skit makers who movie producers employ for publicity sake. Do you think this portends a great disservice to the industry and if yes, what can be done to salvage the problem?
Well, it is a plus for any producer who can get a million followers on their movie because it is a business. You must think of how the film will sell and who will sell the film. These skit makers are here and they help to promote the movie industry. I met with some of them and I train them. They are grateful but the truth is that they have the followership that any producer needs for the market.
