Award-winning Nollywood actor and filmmaker Lateef Adedimeji has revealed that his emotional performances early in his acting career were not accidental but part of a deliberate strategy to establish a unique identity in Nigeria’s competitive film industry.
The actor disclosed during an interview on The Morayo Show, explaining that he intentionally focused on emotionally demanding scenes to distinguish himself from other actors and build a memorable brand.
According to Adedimeji, breaking into Nollywood was far from easy, especially because many people initially identified him by his resemblance to an established actor rather than for his own talent.
He recalled that audiences frequently compared him to one of his senior colleagues, a comparison he appreciated but knew he could not rely on if he hoped to build a lasting career.
“When I came into the industry, it was quite challenging,” he said.
“I resembled one of my senior colleagues whom I love so much. People would say, ‘That guy who resembles Odun, Odun’s brother.’”
While describing the comparison as flattering, Adedimeji admitted that he wanted to create an identity that belonged solely to him.
“It was a beautiful thing because they were comparing me to someone great, but at the same time, as a practitioner, people need to know you for something of you,” he explained.
Determined to stand out, the actor said he took time to study the industry and identify an area that many performers overlooked.
Rather than trying to imitate others, he focused on perfecting emotional scenes, particularly those that required him to cry on camera.
“So I had to sit, did a lot of research,” he said.
“I asked myself, ‘What is it that people are not paying much attention to that is still important?’”
Adedimeji explained that he became intentional about delivering memorable emotional performances, even when the script required only a brief display of emotion.
“So if I were given a role where I only had to shed tears for two seconds, I would mount pressure on it and make those tears come well,” he recalled.
The strategy, he said, eventually paid off.
As audiences watched more of his performances, they began to associate him with emotionally charged roles, earning him the nickname “crying machine”.
“So at one point, people started calling me a crying machine,” he said.
“They didn’t know my name, but they would say, ‘That guy who cries so much in movies’ when describing me.”
Although some actors might have considered such a label limiting, Adedimeji said he viewed it as evidence that his plan was working.
For him, becoming known for a particular acting strength was the first step toward building wider recognition.
“That was when I knew I was getting somewhere because people were beginning to identify me with something that is of me; then, eventually, you get to know my name,” he explained.
Over time, Adedimeji expanded beyond emotional roles, proving his ability to perform across multiple genres, including comedy, romance, action and historical dramas.
Today, he is regarded as one of Nollywood’s most versatile actors, with numerous critically acclaimed performances and several awards to his name.
Reflecting on his journey, the filmmaker stressed that versatility remains essential for anyone hoping to enjoy a long and successful career in the entertainment industry.
“As an entertainer, you have to be versatile,” he said.