Simi Ventures into Nollywood
Diminutive, colossal in talent, alternative afro-po.p singer, Simisola Ogunleye, simply called Simi, has further gained the confidence of enthusiasts as she announces her venture into the movie world. Omolabake Fasogbon examines her prospects in the new move
Unique in her story-telling music style, Simi as she is fondly called, is not taking a reclining position despite attracting the attention of the klieg light. The multiple-talented songstress who as a result of her excellent delivery, occupies prominent space in the heart of music lovers is yet breaking a new barrier, this time around, in Nollywood, as she takes up a role in a soon-to-come movie, titled, ‘Mokalik’. This was brought to the knowledge of all by the producer of the flick, Kunle Afolayan, who dropped an inkling of the deal on his social media page.
In a post on Instragam , the movie star shared a picture of himself and Simi, bearing the caption, “It is Official: Simi @symplysimi is featuring in ‘Mokalik’ a Kunle Afolayan film. ‘Jamb Questiom ’ crooner, Simisola Ogunleye, a.k.a Simi, has accepted a role in Kunle Afolayan’s coming film, ‘Mokalik’. The agreement was formalised recently at the filmmaker’s office, in Lagos.”
‘Mokalik’ which is an adaptation of the word, ‘Mechanic’ has been revealed to be a story centred around the life of an 11-year-old boy, Jaiye, from the middle-class suburbs who spends the day as a lowly apprentice at a mechanic workshop in order to relate with life from another perspective.
From indication, the ‘Tiff’ crooner should be taking up a major role in the movie that has already stolen the minds of highly expectant fans. Described by Afolayan as one of the Mokalik’s main stars, Simi will be playing a character that imitates her stage name, Simi, the daughter of one of the two buka owners in the film - whom Jaiye inadvertently develops a crush on.
Obviously elated Simi could not hide her feelings when she dropped a post on her page saying “@ Kunleafo and a girl with a script she likes very much.”
In the film, the Opera brand ambassador will star alongside Nollywood famous actors such as Femi Adebayo, Ayo Adesanya, Faithia Williams and Lateef Oladimeji.
Simi’s new feat may be coming as a bolt from the blues to many but definitely not a total shock. Recall that the crossover singer once demonstrated her acting skill together with Falz in ‘Soldier’, a 14-minute musical film directed by Clarence Peters. Here, she acted as a kidnap victim with Falz as a sergeant, on a mission to rescue her from an abductor played by Nollywood actor, Deyemi Okanlawon.
Her performance in the film didn’t attract negative reviews and that just points out to the fact there are more fortes in the songstress that are yet untapped.
However, on dramatics, the X3M Music star once said that she was not sure of taking a journey into the field but if she must do at all, it won’t be in full time.
Judging by her words, one can, therefore, say that Simi in ‘Mokalik’ is just taking a break off her usual menu, with no dreams or plans to light up the acting skies in the nearest future.
Born in Ojuelegba, Lagos State, the 30-year-old soft-voiced singer who is the last and only daughter in a family of four started her musical career in the church. She came to the spotlight in 2014 after she released ‘Tiff,’ a song which was nominated in two categories at the 2015 headies.
The multiple-award winner has been able to distinguish herself in her unique and classic works. Her music ranges from rhythm and blues as well as soul and hip-hop.
Simi like her older counterpart and namesake in Bollywood, Simi Garewal is known to be multiskilled, stands out for her incredible versatility. The Covenant University Mass Communication graduate is apart from her penchant for singing and songwriting, also a sound engineer credited to have mixed and mastered Adekunle Gold’s ‘Gold’ album. She also has flair for writing, blogging and broadcasting.
Simi who has been lashed out at severally by her fans on her lowness of fashion is neither moved nor intimidated by critics. To her, in as much she is comfortable in her outfit, she says she is good to go. As far as she is concerned, her musical career comes first and ultimate in her life far above fashion or dress sense.
On this, She said: “I believe that everybody is entitled to their opinions. Some people may say that they don’t like my dress, shoes or any other thing. I don’t find that surprising or strange because there are also a lot of dresses and shoes that I don’t like. I like to be comfortable in whatever I wear and that is what dictates my outfit.”
Simi indeed admits that she is in a relationship but she is keeping everyone on suspense on the identity of the fortunate lad.
Although Adekunle Gold remains the guess on everyone’s lips she insists that her fans guess is as good as wrong.