What I inherited from my mum —Mosun Baroka

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Mosunmola Adeleye, popularly known as Mosun Baroka, is one of the leading actresses cum film producers in the Yoruba movie industry. The graduate of Accountancy from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ogun State, in this interview with SEYI SOKOYA speaks on why she dumped accountancy for acting and her fashion preferences. Excerpts:
How I discovered my penchant for acting
The sojourn into acting started during my days in the Polytechnic. I was always amazed when I see actors and actresses shooting movies in my school. Sometimes, some students took part in some of the productions whenever they needed classroom setting and I was once one of the cast. Gradually, I developed interest in acting during my HND  days in 2007.

Interestingly, I play lawn tennis and one day, I took a bold step by walking up to Rasak Oladiran Baroka who is an administrative officer of the Tennis Ball Council and also an actor. I told him I was interested in acting and that I loved the way he  usually acts. He told me to obtain a form which I did and the rest is history today.

 Why I dumped accountancy for acting
I would not want to disclose here what really prompted my decision to dump my profession, but it wasn’t the risk of the high rate of unemployment that made me dump accountancy. I worked for a while, but one day, I just felt it was high time I opted for acting and I thank God that I have recorded a land mark achievement in this field.

My relationship with my boss
Rasak Oladiran Baroka is my boss and someone I hold in high esteem. He is part of my success story and I will always honour him. In fact, that was one of the reasons I attached one of his names to mine to form my stage name, Mosun Baroka.

Numbers of movies I have done and featured in
The movies I have featured in are many and I can’t start to mention them here, but I have produced two movies. The first movie I produced was “Afori Aforun” in 2009 and the second one was “Otelemuye” which was released two years ago. A lot of people think movies are produced for fun, but to be candid, it is not an easy task to produce a movie because it involves a lot of things. We thank God for giving us the grace and the sustainability. I thank God for the success I have recorded so far in my career which has also made me raise my game as a producer.
The challenges I face as an actress
It does not matter whether you are a male or female when it comes to facing challenges in any field, but it is a known fact that ladies encounter more challenges in the industry, especially the up-and-coming ones. We encounter a lot of challenges, but God has been helping us to overcome them.

On whether I have encountered any clash with anyone
No. Though they try to upset me sometimes, I persevere and take it off my chest because I believe I still have a long way to go.

Even with opposite s*x in the industry?
I have always been responsible and calm. I have never had any problem with anyone in the industry, be it a male actor, director or producer. I see them as brothers, fathers and mentors. There is nothing attached to our relationships, neither am I dating any of them.
 
My role model in the industry
I appreciate Bukky Wright, she is my role model. I also respect the likes of Funke Akindele and Faithia Balogun, these  people have really raised the game of the Yourba movie industry and their works are speaking for them, just as they have created a good platform for the up-and-coming ones.

Definition of style
My style is different and simple; though people have different definition to style, but for me, I am more comfortable in simple styles. I always wear what will look smart on me and also draw attention to me.

Choice of accessories
I don’t go for expensive jewellery. It is only when you are famous and are financially buoyant that you can go the extra mile to get what to put on. So, I’m always contented with whatever I have.

Favourite perfume
I am not a perfume freak, but I love Smart because the fragrance attracts and calls the attention of people around me.

Favourite colour
White and pink.

Favourite design
I love Smart collections.

My take on provocative dressing
You can’t say that actresses dress irresponsibly. As a professional, one has to inculcate the act of professionalism. So, it doesn’t mean that when somebody acts the role of a harlot in a movie, she is a harlot in real life.

What I cannot do without
You maybe surprised to hear that I can’t do without novels because I read them a lot. I feel uncomfortable without them. I really liked reading novels.

What I cannot be caught dead wearing
I cannot be caught dead wearing heavy dresses, except at locations. I’m a simple person who appreciate simple things. I put on simple necklace, earring and other fashion accessories.

Opinion on toning
As you can see, I’m not fair complexioned, so for me, toning is needless, I don’t like it and I cannot be caught dead applying bleaching cream to my body. I can’t go for it.

Keeping in shape
Like I said earlier, I am a professional lawn tennis player. I go for trainings and sport events; I go to the gym at times and all these have really helped me in keeping fit.

My greatest physical asset
My greatest asset is my hips.  I cherish it a lot because it really shows my figure eight shape and also call people’s attention wherever I go and I feel nice about it. I think I inherited it from my mum.

Assessment of the Yoruba movie industry
It’s a good field. I am very happy to be a member of the association and part of the success of the industry. To be a producer is a good thing and this development has really raised my game.

Tattoo
I always appreciate it whenever I see it on people. As I said earlier, I am a simple person. Aside that, I won’t want to do anything that will cause problem between my parents and I. I came from a responsible home and I am not ready to bring shame to the family. I know they won’t be happy with it and I don’t want to hurt them for the sake of fashion because I love them.

Most embarrassing moment
It was a day that would always linger in my mind, though it was a very funny experience. It was during the time my first movie “Afori Aforun”  was produced and it was a hit. I starred lots of popular actors such as Sunkanmi Omobolanle, Odunlade Adekola, Ayo Mogaji, Ahmed Alasari, Mr Latin, Pastor Ajidara, among others. I had just returned from Abia State where I served and I went for lunch at one of the popular eateries. At the eatery, I met a man and a lady, but I didn’t know whether they were a couple or not. The man was staring at me and later walked up to me after he had seen the lady off; he said “I think we had met before’’. I replied him that I didn’t think so. He requested  for  my name and I said I couldn’t tell him because I didn’t know him from Adam. He introduced himself and I did in return. He said he knew that I was an actress. Unknown to me, he and the lady had discussed about me and the lady who was aware of my new movie told him that I was an actress. The man started asking me all sorts of questions and all of a sudden, the lady stormed into the eatery and started shouting at the man in my presence. I felt embarrassed because all eyes were on me. I was helpless and ever since, I don’t entertain such meeting again.

Words to my fans
I want to appreciate them all for their enormous support. Thank you all, may God continue to help and protect you. I promise not to disappoint you. I also want my esteemed fans to be on the lookout for more of my works.