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Veteran Nollywood actress Toyin Afolayan, popularly known as Lola Idije, has expressed her desire to move away from the troublesome mother and wicked mother-in-law characters she is frequently asked to portray in films.
The Yoruba movie star said she has become dissatisfied with the recurring pattern of being cast as an aggressive or difficult woman, noting that she would welcome opportunities to play more gentle and caring characters.
Lola Idije made this known during an interview on African A-List, where she spoke about the type of roles she receives from filmmakers and her repeated efforts to convince directors to consider her for different characters.
According to the actress, she has raised the issue with directors and members of production crews on several occasions, questioning why she is rarely given scripts that portray her as a loving and accommodating mother.
She explained that she often finds herself playing characters who shout, create tension and make life difficult for other people in the story.
The actress said she has repeatedly asked filmmakers to give her roles that allow audiences to see another side of her acting abilities.
“Directors and crew members watching this programme know that I have complained about this.
“I ask them, ‘What have I done?’ You don’t give me good roles where I am a nice mother; why must I always be shouting. They will say…” she stated.
Her comments reflect her frustration with being repeatedly associated with a particular character type, despite her interest in exploring other aspects of acting.
Wants filmmakers to consider different characters
Lola Idije’s appeal highlights a common experience among actors who become strongly identified with certain roles after delivering memorable performances.
In her case, her portrayal of strict, troublesome and sometimes wicked older women has become a familiar feature of many Nollywood productions.
While such characters have helped establish her screen identity, the actress appears eager to demonstrate that her acting range extends beyond playing difficult mothers and antagonistic in-laws.
Her remarks also draw attention to the influence casting decisions have on how audiences perceive actors.
When performers repeatedly appear in similar roles, viewers can begin to associate them with those characters, even though their abilities may allow them to handle a wider variety of personalities.
For Lola Idije, being offered more positive motherly roles would provide an opportunity to present a different side of her talent and challenge the expectations surrounding her screen image.
Her comments do not suggest that she is unwilling to play troublesome characters altogether. Rather, they indicate that she wants a better balance and the chance to explore roles that require a different emotional approach.
A familiar face in Yoruba Nollywood
Lola Idije is one of the recognisable actresses in the Yoruba film industry, with a screen presence that has made her a familiar face to audiences.
Over the years, she has featured in several productions, often portraying strong-willed older women whose actions create conflict within families and relationships.
Her performances have helped make her a memorable figure in Nollywood, particularly in stories involving family disagreements, marriage disputes and conflicts between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law.
The actress’s distinctive delivery and ability to portray outspoken characters have also contributed to the popularity of the roles she is known for.
However, her latest remarks suggest that she does not want her career to be defined solely by those performances.
Her request for more gentle and caring characters is an appeal to filmmakers to look beyond familiar casting choices and recognise the possibility of giving established actors different creative challenges.
As Nollywood continues to produce films across various genres and themes, Lola Idije’s comments have renewed attention on the importance of allowing performers to demonstrate their versatility.
For the actress, the opportunity to play a nice mother rather than constantly shouting or creating trouble would be a welcome change from the roles that have become closely associated with her name.
Watch her speak below…
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