Femi Adebayo's new movie, Jelili

Not a few fans would see star actor Femi Adebayo’s new movie, JELILI and pass him and co-stars-Odunlade Adekola, Muyiwa Ademola- as gays. But no it’s not another gay movie, it’s a comedy. JELILI, shot on location in Ikorodu last June ,features five contestants keen to win a pageant- Who Wants To Be A Woman (Idije Se Bi Obirin).

The five men desperate to survive entered the competition, after a thorough screening. Among them is a gay, Sisi Kola (Odunlade Adekola) who seamlessly carried his role. The lead act, Jelili (Femi Adebayo), is a provincial boy who is in Lagos in search of the golden fleece. He finds a good chaperon (Faithia Balogun) who takes him through catwalk and the poise needed to woo the audience and judges at the pageant. Unfortunately he farts at every opportunity to the embarrassment of all. Sisi Kola comes with his sissy look while Muyiwa Ademola’s sexy look and moves would make many burst into uproarious laughter. For the consistently tough to entertain Nollywood fans, Jelili would surely make you to guffaw. From the characters’ raunchiness and of course to their contrived humour, it’s funny and smart. With the trio, the movie it’s not off-putting, the ensemble cast sure knows how to push the button and the result is a hilarious romp. Looking back at your fray into acting, Femi said the comic is his most challenging movie in his career as an actor which movie will you say s most demanding?

“ It was very challenging at a point that I thought I will not be able to go on with it but everybody on set saw that I was interpreting it well and so they kept on encouraging me. But before Jelili, it was Owo Blow shot by Tade Ogidan 14 years back. It was also very challenging.

Jelili, still in post-production and due to be released last quarter of the year was directed by Femi’s younger brother, Tope and their dad, Adebayo Salami. Asked his inspiration for the comic, he disclosed: “I woke up one morning and just thought about it and I loved it. It was well interpreted and I know my fans will not be disappointed when they see it.”

Femi who is trained as a lawyer said the thespian art has taken the better part of him that he was spurred to establish a drama school, J-15 School Of Performing Arts in Ibadan, Oyo State.