Yoruba comic actor, Sanyeri, is the toast of filmmakers in his industry for many years. He has been named one of the top three funniest actors in the movie industry and has bagged several awards as an exceptional comic actor who is vast and versatile
Born Olaniyi Afonja, he has appeared in nearly 100 films since 1992, many of them in leading roles and most of them are blockbusters.
In this interview, the actor speaks about his humble beginning, challenges he’d faced and lots more.
When did you start acting?
Wow, is been over 20 years
How was the industry when you started?
To be candid, it was not pleasant at the beginning at all. Looking at where I started, God only loved to bring forth my glory, because the master I started with had little or no fame further than within our own neighbourhood where he started his career till he died. But since it has been destined that I will get into the theatre through him, I went further in my course of training, till I am what God made me today. This is why I said that the beginning was so rough and awkward.
When we started, at times I could put on Dunlop slippers, till the sole becomes nothing, and I will keep wearing it until I have money to buy another one. The beginning was so rough.
Who are your role models?
My role models are many. As a comic actor, I watched Baba Otolo, Baba Suwe, Aluwe, Ojoge, Alaran and several other comedians. I also watched the likes of Latin, Lanko, Ijesha and others who were famous before me.
Did you ever encounter any challenge?
There were many challenges. Should I mention the days we starved?
There is one particular year. I went with actors to a particular location. Although I wasn’t an actor at the time, but a crew member, like assisting the light man or the generator man. That was how I went for a production of a friend of mine in person of Adebayo Tijani. If I can still remember, it was in 2003. We went for the location of a film titled Durosimi.
It seemed there was a fracas in that town before we got there. We met them in the middle of a free for all fight, and we wanted to shoot a production. That was how policemen arrived. I was one of those that passed the night in a police cell. That was the very first time I will be detained. We were there from morning till the next day, we were eventually bailed out at the end of the day.
When was the happiest moment in your life?
My happiest day in life usually makes me want to cry. It was so emotional. That was the first time I was granted an American Visa, because I have never traveled out of the country before. This was in the year 2012. It was not for every Tom, Dick and Harry, except my senior colleagues.
When I received it and thought to myself,” How did it happen? Without being fluent in English Language, and I got a Visa by the whites? I was so emotional. I was so happy. How could I start my traveling experience with a place like America? I was so happy on that fateful day.
When was your saddest moment?
The saddest moment in my life was when I went to get my visa. Thank God a boss of mine was there on that fateful day. His name is Rasaq Olayiwola Ojopagogo. After I have been to America and Canada then I wanted to visit Egypt. That my boss was there on that day. Surprisingly, I was refused a visa. I was shocked. Even the pages in my passport for the refusal were up to five. Whereas in America and Canada where I was granted a visa, only a page was stamped for each country. What could be the gravity of my offense, to be badly treated in that way? I was so sad.
But I was asked to reappear the following week, and I wonder which passport would I tender. I told them vehemently on that day that we will not meet again.
If opportuned, will you attempt to go to Egypt again?
Hmmmm..if the opportunity comes, you know there is nowhere one cannot meet his/her helper. If the visa will come comfortably, I don’t mind because it’s part of the experience one seeks.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
My vision is so high. In the next 5 years, I hope to be charging my clients per hour, not per day as usual. They will say, we hired Sanyeri for two hours. That is the next level of my comedy.
Your advice for the new breed of actors?
The truth is better told, whatever one could learn or know, you know there is no better way to professionalism. If you go through the rigorous training of this profession, it will be part of your system. And if you take the shortcut to become popular, though anybody can become fortunate, but if you are fortunate and you got the fame in no time, it doesn’t mean you don’t need training thereafter. Because if you don’t, the fame will disappear as it came.
What is your opinion on nudity on social media?
Different strokes for different folks, but no matter how the situation could be, regardless of one’s high volume of fame, home training cannot be erased. Charity begins at home.
To be opulent doesn’t mean one should lack manners. To lack doesn’t also mean one will not misbehave. Their behavior reflects their home training, and they showcase the same on social media. If not, why would one strip naked his/her fellow colleague in the public, and start faking friendship behind closed doors?
If there is a row, let’s settle it amicably. The crisis should have its limits. It should not be escalated to the point of displaying personal issues on social media. We have our fans and there are some people who see us as role models. If we start trading words with one another, those ones coming too will feel once they get into the system, they could do the same. So I feel such an attitude should not be entertained.
Have you clashed with anyone in the industry?
Like I have said before, we are not perfect beings. We do cross one another’s paths. It is normal. Maybe during our normal dealings. Adebayo Tijani and I fight a lot. And we settle it by ourselves.
Even Kamilu Compo, my own blood too, we fight, but we don’t show it to the public. So there is no way we won’t step on each other’s toes.
Who are those that you see as threats in the industry?
I see no one as a threat. If you are conversant with my own films that I produced, I have not seen that actor that I cannot feature in my movie. I see it as a competition. To a point, I fear no one. We meet on set and display skills. That is my chosen profession. But I can’t say if I’m a threat to anyone.
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