Veteran Nollywood actor and producer Antar Laniyan has shared a heartfelt story about the personal sacrifices he made in pursuit of his career in the Nigerian film industry.
In an interview with journalist Seun Oloketuyi, Laniyan recounted the emotional experience of missing his own father’s funeral due to a producer’s strict demand for professionalism. Despite the pain, he honored his commitment to stay on set, highlighting the difficult choices actors sometimes face in balancing work and family.
“I wouldn’t mind beginning from scratch. Unless you have a valid reason, you would return.”
He disclosed, “An evil producer wanted me on set and had already paid me, so I didn’t go to bury my father.”
They disagreed with me when I told them that I had to go to the town and bury my dad. In order to observe how it was carried out, I had to figure out a way to get my younger brothers there and instructed them to record the funeral on VHS.
Using another example of having to leave his wife in the hospital just before she was set to have a Caesarean section, Laniyan went on to say that his commitment to his job has remained constant over the years.
“People like Joke Silva were waiting for me, so I once had to leave my wife at the hospital, who was supposed to undergo CS, and go and record a movie,” he recalled.
“My wife advised me to leave, saying I shouldn’t worry because nothing would happen.”
My wife understood and urged me to go, saying nothing would happen to her. Andy Amaenechi was the director and he had to rush my scenes. I left around 12 midnight and trekked from Ojuelegba to Mushin.”
Using these experiences, Laniyan emphasised discipline and time respect in his explanation of how he deals with tardiness on film sets.
You will return if you do so while making weak justifications. I’ll send for another person who can finish the task right away. You’re not accountable, so I don’t mind wasting another hour,” he said.
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