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Bukunmi Oluwasina has always been a disruptor. From the moment she burst onto the scene with her debut film as an OAU graduate, she proved she wasn’t just another actress—she was a storyteller. Today, Bukunmi is evolving again. Now a mother, a UK-based creator, and a first-time author, she sits down with TOMI FALADE on NOR to talk about her new book, “Looking Forward to Yesterday,” and why she refuses to stay inside the ‘box’ the industry built for her.
I was trying to remember the name of that first movie you made just as you were leaving OAU. Looking back at that young girl and where you are now, how have you been coping with the transition?
I often wonder how I would cope if things were different. Even if Bill Gates employed me today, paid me $1 million, and asked me to stop doing what I’ve been doing for the last 20–25 years, I’d take the money—but I don’t know how I’d survive without the passion. I’d miss jumping from one location to another, the thrill of being called to act, and the recognition on the streets of Lagos.
But you’ve been away from that “location to location” lifestyle for a bit. How have you been able to cope with staying away from your passion?
I’d actually correct the premise of that question because I haven’t been “staying away” from my passion at all. I’ve just been doing what I love in a different location. I am still very much an active actress. Acting is not something I believe I can ever stop doing.
The beauty of being a filmmaker is that, beyond being called for roles, I can produce my own work. If it’s not convenient to work on other people’s projects, I can create my own whenever I feel ready to be in front of the camera again. It’s not a job you take a permanent holiday from. The difference now is that I have so much more on my plate. Back then, I was just a young girl chasing a dream. Now, I’ve reached those goals and started dreaming bigger dreams that required me to leave the “box” I was in. I felt I was moving in circles—doing the same things better, but not necessarily evolving. I felt restricted, and I knew I could be more.
Have you done any projects in the UK? Are they out yet?
Of course! Apart from White and Black, which is already out, there are several projects in the works. Once they are ready, I’ll post about them. There’s also a project I came home to Nigeria to do, but I haven’t released it yet because the timing isn’t right.
People think I’m not as active as I used to be, but there’s a reason for that. When I was jumping from set to set constantly, I wasn’t as “impressive” or intentional as I am now. Now, when I come home to work, I often don’t even post about it. Once people know you’re around, everyone wants you on their set, and it’s hard to say no without appearing difficult. So, I often work quietly and let the results speak when the movie is out.
Let’s talk about your book. You’ve mastered scripts, soundtracks, and producing—and now you’re an author. I saw the cover of Looking Forward to Yesterday and it’s beautiful. Why did you decide to write this book?
Looking Forward to Yesterday is a lot of things. It wasn’t a whim; it’s been in my head for years. Whenever I’d share short write-ups on social media, people would comment, “Bukunmi, you should write a book.”
Writing has always been my therapy. Whenever someone wronged me or I felt overwhelmed, I pushed those emotions into writing or music. This book is for everyone—married couples, people in relationships, those battling depression or anxiety, and young people trying to find their footing. It’s for the woman struggling to conceive and the pregnant woman who is terrified of the future. It’s therapy. There is something at the end of the book that ties it all together. Once you read it, you’ll understand that it’s much more than just a story.
The title Looking Forward to Yesterday is quite a paradox. What inspired it?
I was going to shoot a film once called When Tomorrow Comes, but someone else released a story with a similar title first, so I kept my idea to myself. When I was compiling stories for this book, I realized the themes bridged the past and the future within the present. I remembered that title and realized I love headers that make you stop and think. It doesn’t look like the words fit together, but they do.
You wear many hats: mother, wife, filmmaker, actress, author, and singer. Which title best describes the woman you are today?
I would say “Mother.” I’m very intentional about that. Being a mom is a much higher priority than everything else. I can always come back to writing, acting, or being on set—those things will wait for me. But you can’t “come back” to being a mother of a toddler. Time doesn’t pause for childhood. It can pause for a film, but not for family. That’s why it’s my most important role.
What do you miss most about the “old” Nollywood?
I miss the genuine respect, the honor, and the unstressed love that used to come with being a filmmaker. When I was growing up, I was in awe of people like Genevieve Nnaji. You couldn’t just “touch” her; there was a mystique and a deep value for the art.
Today, it’s different. Art loses value when it has to beg for attention. We are in desperate times, and the industry has shifted. It’s no longer just Nollywood; it’s a massive creative pool of actors and content creators. The competition is high, and if you aren’t emotionally strong, you’ll feel like a loser even when you’re doing great. I see actors struggling daily just to be “seen,” and it’s exhausting. When you compare that to content creators who are becoming millionaires overnight, you start to see why the urge to become an “actor” is fading. I miss when the love for the craft was simple and respected.
What projects should we look out for this year?
Look out for my book, Looking Forward to Yesterday, and my upcoming project, You Will Never Be Mine. It’s coming soon! I’ll stop there so nobody steals my title! (Laughs).
Where can people get the book in Nigeria?
It’s available on Amazon for both print and e-book. Starting next week, check any major bookstore that carries quality titles. If you can’t find it, just check my social media pages; I’ll have a full list of locations.
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