Yoruba theatre icon, Kareem Adepoju, popularly known as Baba Wande, has alleged that filmmaker, Tunde Kelani cheated him by pocketing all the proceeds from the popular film Ti Oluwa ni Ile.
Baba Wande in an interview with BBC News Yoruba said: “What happened was that I wrote the story. I told Tunde Kelani about that story and he assured me that he would ensure the story was produced as a film. He provided all the equipment used and I provided the story, costumes and invited actors and actresses in the film.
“Tunde Kelani established a production company. He was the one who produced and financed the film. We both agreed that we would split the proceeds of the movies; he would take 70 per cent while I would take 30 per cent”.
He said the first money made was -N-180,000 and he was given -N-15,000 when he had expected 30 percent of the money made, adding that Kelani claimed there were other expenses.
The veteran revealed that they would subsequently ask him to go and meet the accountant which proved futile. He added that he didn’t know how much was made.
Baba Wande recalled that people were demanding for part two of the movie which was then very popular but he didn’t want to continue because he was not satisfied with the money they were giving him.
He said he later travelled to Abeokuta to meet Kelani and they both wrote part two and three of the movie because he knew that if they didn’t finish it, people would say it was him who started a movie he couldn’t finish.
“After we finished the film, I stopped getting involved in whatever he was doing and I did not ask for anything from him and he too did not give me anything till today.
“I don’t know how to lie. He has been the one selling the film and spending the money”, he said.
The veteran revealed that he was advised by a lot of people to go to court but declined because they are friends, and it won’t be nice to end up in court.
He appreciated God because he has been blessed all through the years that he doesn’t have the feeling of being cheated.
Baba Wande concluded by advising active actors and actresses to produce movie that will remain relevant for years not the one that will be promoting nudity in the society.
Ti Oluwa Ni Ile is a popular Nollywood Yoruba drama film sequel directed by Tunde Kelani and written by Baba Wande.
