Film at Lincoln Center and African Film Festival Inc. have revealed the slate for the 31st New York African Film Festival, a lineup that includes more than 50 films hailing from over 25 countries.
The festival, running from May 8-14, will open with the North American premiere of Over the Bridge, director Tolu Ajayi’s narrative feature set in Lagos, Nigeria. The closing-night slot goes to Dilli Dark, directed by Dibakar Das Roy, a narrative feature about a Nigerian Mba student in Delhi, India. Nigerian actor Samuel Abiola Robinson stars in the role of Michael Okeke.
“The whole intent behind it is to not just talk about Africans in Delhi,” Roy told Outlook India. “The intent is to talk about anyone who feels like an outsider in society today, that could be in India, America, or any other place. Michael Okeke is a metaphor for every outsider, whether he is an Indian or foreigner in any society.
The festival, running from May 8-14, will open with the North American premiere of Over the Bridge, director Tolu Ajayi’s narrative feature set in Lagos, Nigeria. The closing-night slot goes to Dilli Dark, directed by Dibakar Das Roy, a narrative feature about a Nigerian Mba student in Delhi, India. Nigerian actor Samuel Abiola Robinson stars in the role of Michael Okeke.
“The whole intent behind it is to not just talk about Africans in Delhi,” Roy told Outlook India. “The intent is to talk about anyone who feels like an outsider in society today, that could be in India, America, or any other place. Michael Okeke is a metaphor for every outsider, whether he is an Indian or foreigner in any society.
- 4/3/2024
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
“Life is unfair, you have to be fair”, proclaims the packaging on a box of Fair & Awesome powder - a face whitening product that Nigerian migre to Delhi Michael Okeke (Samuel Abiola Robinson) has been tempted to buy. He realises it’s ludicrous, of course, his skin is never going to lighten to the point where he doesn’t face everyday racism on the streets of the Indian city.
Dibakar Das Roy’s debut feature wraps this issue up within a boisterous, if unruly, comedy as Michael tries to make it as best he can. Studying for an Mba, he’s an industrious sort but he’s also dealing drugs in his off-hours to make ends meet. There’s barely a dull moment in Das Roy’s film as Michael finds himself unexpectedly courted to be a “disciple” of local spiritual leader Mansi (Geetika Vidya Ohlyan), whose most impressive ability...
Dibakar Das Roy’s debut feature wraps this issue up within a boisterous, if unruly, comedy as Michael tries to make it as best he can. Studying for an Mba, he’s an industrious sort but he’s also dealing drugs in his off-hours to make ends meet. There’s barely a dull moment in Das Roy’s film as Michael finds himself unexpectedly courted to be a “disciple” of local spiritual leader Mansi (Geetika Vidya Ohlyan), whose most impressive ability...
- 11/28/2023
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
What is special about filmmaker Dibakar Das Roy’s movie ‘Dilli Dark’, which will have its international premiere at the 27th Tallinn Black Night Film Festival in the ‘First Features Competition’, is not just the fact that it manages to bring forth the many shades of the capital city towards an ‘outsider’, but does that with an underlying humour without trivialising a sensitive subject.
Revolving around a Nigerian man, Michael (played by Samuel Abiola Robinson) studying in Delhi, who sells cocaine at night and is subjected to racial slurs and a distinct gaze owing to his skin colour, the film sees him getting attracted to a ‘god woman’, played by Geetika Vidya Ohlyan of ‘Soni’ fame whose ashram he joins in order to find himself. However, he soon realises that all she wants from him is cocaine.
The director tells that the film was conceived as an amalgamation of ideas...
Revolving around a Nigerian man, Michael (played by Samuel Abiola Robinson) studying in Delhi, who sells cocaine at night and is subjected to racial slurs and a distinct gaze owing to his skin colour, the film sees him getting attracted to a ‘god woman’, played by Geetika Vidya Ohlyan of ‘Soni’ fame whose ashram he joins in order to find himself. However, he soon realises that all she wants from him is cocaine.
The director tells that the film was conceived as an amalgamation of ideas...
- 11/21/2023
- by Agency News Desk
What is special about filmmaker Dibakar Das Roy’s movie ‘Dilli Dark’, which will have its international premiere at the 27th Tallinn Black Night Film Festival in the ‘First Features Competition’, is not just the fact that it manages to bring forth the many shades of the capital city towards an ‘outsider’, but does that with an underlying humour without trivialising a sensitive subject.
Revolving around a Nigerian man, Michael (played by Samuel Abiola Robinson) studying in Delhi, who sells cocaine at night and is subjected to racial slurs and a distinct gaze owing to his skin colour, the film sees him getting attracted to a ‘god woman’, played by Geetika Vidya Ohlyan of ‘Soni’ fame whose ashram he joins in order to find himself. However, he soon realises that all she wants from him is cocaine.
The director tells that the film was conceived as an amalgamation of ideas...
Revolving around a Nigerian man, Michael (played by Samuel Abiola Robinson) studying in Delhi, who sells cocaine at night and is subjected to racial slurs and a distinct gaze owing to his skin colour, the film sees him getting attracted to a ‘god woman’, played by Geetika Vidya Ohlyan of ‘Soni’ fame whose ashram he joins in order to find himself. However, he soon realises that all she wants from him is cocaine.
The director tells that the film was conceived as an amalgamation of ideas...
- 11/21/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
Debut filmmaker Dibakar Das Roy’s feature ‘Dilli Dark’ to make its World Premiere at Jio Mami Mumbai Film Festival 2023 in the South Asia Competition Section. The festival will be held from October 27 – November 5, 2023. The film produced by Reeligion Films will have its International Premiere at the 27th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival as part of the ‘First Features Competition Section’. The festival will take place from the 3rd until the 19th of November, 2023.
The 100-minute dark comedy film in Hindi, English, Yoruba and Pidgin language is about a Nigerian boy living in New Delhi who wants to get his Mba and settle in India but his part-time job gives him a dubious double life in a city notoriously difficult for outsiders.
‘Dilli Dark’ stars Samuel Abiola Robinson as a lead and features Geetika Vidya Ohlyan, Shantanu Anam and Stutee Ghosh in prominent roles. Samuel Abiola Robinson made his screen...
The 100-minute dark comedy film in Hindi, English, Yoruba and Pidgin language is about a Nigerian boy living in New Delhi who wants to get his Mba and settle in India but his part-time job gives him a dubious double life in a city notoriously difficult for outsiders.
‘Dilli Dark’ stars Samuel Abiola Robinson as a lead and features Geetika Vidya Ohlyan, Shantanu Anam and Stutee Ghosh in prominent roles. Samuel Abiola Robinson made his screen...
- 10/9/2023
- by Editorial Desk
- GlamSham
Debut filmmaker Dibakar Das Roy’s feature ‘Dilli Dark’ to make its World Premiere at Jio Mami Mumbai Film Festival 2023 in the South Asia Competition Section. The festival will be held from October 27 – November 5, 2023. The film produced by Reeligion Films will have its International Premiere at the 27th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival as part of the ‘First Features Competition Section’. The festival will take place from the 3rd until the 19th of November, 2023.
The 100-minute dark comedy film in Hindi, English, Yoruba and Pidgin language is about a Nigerian boy living in New Delhi who wants to get his Mba and settle in India but his part-time job gives him a dubious double life in a city notoriously difficult for outsiders.
‘Dilli Dark’ stars Samuel Abiola Robinson as a lead and features Geetika Vidya Ohlyan, Shantanu Anam and Stutee Ghosh in prominent roles. Samuel Abiola Robinson made his screen...
The 100-minute dark comedy film in Hindi, English, Yoruba and Pidgin language is about a Nigerian boy living in New Delhi who wants to get his Mba and settle in India but his part-time job gives him a dubious double life in a city notoriously difficult for outsiders.
‘Dilli Dark’ stars Samuel Abiola Robinson as a lead and features Geetika Vidya Ohlyan, Shantanu Anam and Stutee Ghosh in prominent roles. Samuel Abiola Robinson made his screen...
- 10/9/2023
- by Editorial Desk
A few years back, when I was walking along the Kozikhode beach, a young man approached me. That part of Kerala (a small coastal state in South India) rarely attracts foreign tourists, so he was curious about my homeland. His face lit up when I answered, and he started naming past and present football players from my country, the achievement I myself wouldn’t be able to unlock, not caring much about my national team. The experience was not as surreal as it may seem, because that part of Kerala is one of little regions in India where football craze equals — if not overshadows — cricket craze.
“Sudani from Nigeria” review is part of the Submit Your Film Initiative
The variation of the game developed there, Football Sevens, isn’t recognized by FIFA or Indian game’s federation, but its tournaments, played by teams of 7 on smaller pitches, provide entertainment in...
“Sudani from Nigeria” review is part of the Submit Your Film Initiative
The variation of the game developed there, Football Sevens, isn’t recognized by FIFA or Indian game’s federation, but its tournaments, played by teams of 7 on smaller pitches, provide entertainment in...
- 6/14/2021
- by Joanna Kończak
- AsianMoviePulse
EntertainmentThis is by no means an exhaustive list and is only a starter pack! Tnm StaffMahesh Narayanan's C U Soon, released directly on Amazon Prime Video, has been getting rave reviews from viewers. Of special significance is the fact that the film was shot in under 20 days with an iPhone camera and the entire story is told through screens. These factors have piqued the curiosity of viewers and as a consequence, the film has attracted several people who may not have watched a south Indian — let alone Malayalam — film before this. Even film critics who don't usually review south Indian films have been lavish in their praise of C U Soon. Although there are four big film industries in the south, Indian cinema is often equated to Bollywood. Among those who haven't watched south Indian films, there exists a perception that "down south", the films made are all loud, unrealistic and grossly exaggerated.
- 9/8/2020
- by Sowmya
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe film is directed by Zakariya whose debut ‘Sudani from Nigera’ was well-received. Digital NativeA few days ago, reports had surfaced that the Malayalam movie Halal Love Story would hit the marquee on March 27 but now reports have confirmed that it will be a Vishu release. This means the film’s release has been postponed to April. The film is directed by Zakariya. He has roped in actors Joju George, Indrajith Sukumaran, Grace Antony and Sharaffuddeen to play the main leads in this flick. Zakariya's first hero Soubin Shahir will also be playing a role. Parvathy Thiruvothu will be making a cameo appearance in the film. It is produced by Aashiq Abu, Jesna Ashim, and Harshad Ali. The core technical crew includes Ajay Menon for cinematography (who is making his debut through the film), Saiju Sreedharan for editing and Bijibal and Shahabaz Aman for music. Halal Love Story is bankrolled by Aashiq Abu,...
- 3/1/2020
- by Cris
- The News Minute
MollywoodTitled ‘Halal Love Story’, the film will star Joju George, Indrajith Sukumaran, Grace Antony and Sharafudheen in lead roles.Digital NativeDigital NativeZakariya Mohammed, the director of the hit film Sudani from Nigeria, has revealed that the title of his next film would be Halal Love Story. He has roped in Joju George, Indrajith Sukumaran, Grace Antony and Sharafudheen to play the main leads in this flick. The core technical crew will include Ajay Menon for cinematography, Saiju Sreedharan for editing, and Bijibal and Shahabaz Aman for music. Halal Love Story will be bankrolled by Aashiq Abu, Jesna Ashim and Harshad Ali. Aashiq Abu and Zakariya Mohammed share a good rapport, as the latter played a role in the former’s critically acclaimed film Virus. Incidentally, the film also had Indrajith in an important role. On being a part of Halal Love Story, Indrajith Sukumaran was quoted in an interview to...
- 10/16/2019
- by Vidya
- The News Minute
National Film AwardsOther south films which have won awards include 'Sudani from Nigeria', 'Nathicharami', 'Kgf', and 'Baaram'.Tnm StaffCourtesy: PTIThe list of winners of the 66th National Film Awards was announced on Friday afternoon by the chairman of the jury. The winners are decided by an independent jury consisting of eminent filmmakers and film personalities, and the announcement is made in April every year. However, this year, the announcement was pushed due to the Lok Sabha polls. The awards are usually presented at an event in May. The Best Director award went to Aditya Dhar for Uri while Gujarati film Hellaro won for Best Film. Keerthy Suresh won the award for Best Actress for Mahanati. The Best Actor award was shared by Ayushmann Khurrana and Vicky Kaushal for Andhadhun and Uri respectively. Baaram won the award for Best Tamil film, Sudani from Nigeria for Best Malayalam film, Mahanati for Best...
- 8/9/2019
- by Haripriya
- The News Minute
MollywoodAward-winning and critically acclaimed movies along with popular new films have found a place on online streaming sites.CrisThere was a time when young ones flocked to the CD shops in Thiruvananthapuram’s Beemappally in search of the new foreign films that never get released in Kerala, or the pirated copies of ones they’d missed. When Torrent came and movies from any place could be downloaded online (mostly pirated copies and therefore illegal), the CDs stopped selling so much. Torrent sites got banned soon enough and even as the smarter ones found proxies, the interest simply waned with the coming of online streaming sites. Netflix and then the cheaper alternate Amazon Prime offered so much that people didn’t mind actually paying for the movies they loved to somehow snatch and watch so far. Other streaming platforms joined the list, much to the delight of film buffs. Law in place,...
- 3/11/2019
- by Cris
- The News Minute
MollywoodSoubin shared the award for Best Actor with Jayasurya, who won for his performances in 'Njan Marykutty' and 'Captain'.Tnm StaffSudani from Nigeria Zakariya Mohammed's profoundly uplifting film on love, compassion and humanity that goes beyond borders and boundaries, reaped a rich harvest at the 49th Kerala State Awards. It fetched Zakariya and Muhsin Parari the award for Best Script, Zakariya the award for Best Debutante Director, Soubin the Best Actor, and Savithri Sreedharan and Sarassa Balusseri shared the award for Best Character Actor (woman). Sudani from Nigeria also won the Best Popular Choice film while the award for the best film went to Kanthan, The Lover of Colour. The latter, starring Dayabai, is based on the real life of tribal people of Wayanad. In Sudani from Nigeria, Soubin played the role of a small football team's manager, and an unhappy son who comes to terms with his mother's second marriage.
- 2/27/2019
- by Sowmya
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe jury noted that Zakariya succeeded in reinstating faith in humanity by telling the story of a village's football team through humour, empathy, drama and warmth.Tnm StaffZakariya Mohammed, the director of Malayalam film Sudani from Nigera, has been declared the winner of Chalachitra Film Society's Aravindan Award for Best Debut Director, 2018. The jury included Shyamaprasad, Krishnanunni, Baiju Chandran and Vk Narayanan. They found that Zakariya excelled in introducing, visualising and expressing the concept through his first film. He succeeded in reinstating faith in humanity by telling the story of a village's football team through humour, empathy, drama and warmth, the jury said. The jury also observed that the director was able to present an international theme as a story that is happening near us, making his film a comforting touch of love in a world where people are getting disconnected from each other every day. Sudani from Nigeria told...
- 2/26/2019
- by Cris
- The News Minute
IFFIMalayalam film 'Olu', directed by Shaji N Karun, will be the opening feature film of the Indian Panorama 2018.Tnm StaffA still from the film Pariyerum PerumalThe Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has announced the list of films that will be screened at the prestigious International Film Festival of India in Goa this year. With five Malayalam films, four Tamil films and one film each from Telugu and Tulu, the festival is set to screen a host of films from the southern states. According to a statement by the ministry, the Feature Film jury of 13 members was headed by director and screenwriter Rahul Rawail. Malayalam film Olu, directed by Shaji N Karun, will be the opening feature film of the Indian Panorama 2018. The jury comprised actor and filmmaker Major Ravi; director Agathiyan; director, producer and screenwriter Ujjwal Chatterjee; director Imo Singh; filmmaker Utpal Datta; director Sekhar Das; director and writer Mahendra Teredesai...
- 11/1/2018
- by Manasa
- The News Minute
RacismSpeaking to Tnm, Samuel said that no one should have to endure such cruel acts.Tnm StaffNigerian actor Samuel Abiola Robinson shot to fame in Kerala after he stole hearts with his film Sudani from Nigeria. Samuel played a football player who comes to Kerala as part of a franchise, but breaks his leg before he can participate in the big tournament. Since then, Samuel has frequently posted about Kerala on his social media - updates about his new films, how he's missing the food of the state and more. However, on Friday, the actor was in for a rude shock after a racist meme featuring him surfaced. The meme, which came from an Instagram page called 'Offensive Malayalam Memes' (which has now been deleted), has the poster of Sudani from Nigeria and refers to Samuel as an "animal". "A movie that promises 'No animals were harmed in the making...
- 10/19/2018
- by Sowmya
- The News Minute
MollywoodMalayalam cinema, more often than not, tends to locate its characters in small towns and narrates stories of ordinary lives.Sowmya RajendranThe Malayalam film industry has produced yet another film that's charmed audiences beyond the state. Lijo Jose Pellissery's Ee.Ma.Yau, a tragicomedy about a son's desire to give his father a grand funeral, has won critical acclaim, and is also doing well at the box-office. Set in Chellanam, a fishing village, the story is about Vavachan and how his death unleashes a series of events. Vavachan is no VIP. He's a drunkard who cheats on his wife and lives in a tiny house. But, to his family, he is important. Especially to his son, Eeshi (Chemban Vinod Jose), who promises his father on that fateful day that he will ensure that the latter is given a memorable send-off – from band to bishop. Vavachan dies a rather unglamorous death – he suffers a cardiac arrest, but not before he slips and falls (thanks to the arrack he's addicted to), hurting his head slightly. What follows is a delightful black comedy about how the entire village responds to the death. The gossip network is so authentically etched that you feel like an eyewitness to the events. Take for example, the way someone enquires who made the duck curry, even as they're all seated as mourners. Or the little 'mala' transaction between Vavachan's daughter-in-law and Karutha Molly. Or the way the priest-detective (inspired by Gk Chesterton's Father Brown?) casually bends to take a look at the head injury of the corpse. The film is entirely set in Chellanam. In fact, most of it is set within the confines of Eeshi's home and front yard. There are no big stars who are part of the cast. Chemban Vinod Jose, Vinayakan, and Dileesh Pothan are the most recognisable names in the film. Unlike other south Indian industries and Bollywood where most films are set in urban areas and revolve around characters who are city-bred, Malayalam cinema continues to set its stories in small towns and villages. Even if the characters may visit cities, they spend a good part of their time in non-metros – as in Eeda or Kammatipaadam. Urban films like Bangalore Days, Mayaanadhi, Njandukalude Naattil Oridavela, Hey Jude or films that are set outside the country like Take Off, do hit the screens once in a while, but a vast majority are about characters who live ordinary lives in small worlds. The conflicts in the plot, too, tend to be small-scale and more involved with human nature than external factors. Take Sudani from Nigeria, for example. The film is about an African soccer player who comes to Malappuram to play in a tournament. But most of the film is set in manager Majeed's (Soubin Shahir) house, because the player, Samuel (Samuel Abiola Robinson), injures his leg and is bedridden. The film explores the complex relationships in Majeed's home – between a hurt son and his caring mother, between a wife and her sensitive second husband, and a resentful stepson and a respectful stepfather. The film could have been set on a much larger canvas but director Zachariah, by keeping it small, gives us an intimate understanding of the characters involved. There is no need to show more when you can achieve what you want with less. Dileesh Pothan's two highly acclaimed films, Maheshinte Prathikaram and Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum, are also set in small towns and revolve around small problems. Although both films are very culturally rooted – the first in Idukki and the second in Kasargod – they held appeal for audiences across the country. The characters were written so well that it didn't matter if the enamoured audience had never set foot in Kerala, let alone these towns. While films set in rural areas were popular in other industries, the trend slowly shifted to urban areas with changing times. 'Rural' films, if at all they get made, are more likely to be about caste violence (several Tamil films on the subject, like Paruthiveeran, Uriyadi and so on, are set in rural areas) or political vengeance (like a Rangasthalam for example) than explore ordinary lives where nothing greatly dramatic takes place. Films like Oru Kidayin Karunai Manu, for instance, are pretty rare and their reach is quite limited - they seldom release outside the state or the southern region. Perhaps it's because the rural-urban divide in Kerala is not as stark as it is in other states. Perhaps it's because Malayalam cinema is more story-driven than star-driven. Perhaps it's because the budgets are much smaller than what it is in the bigger industries. Perhaps it's a combination of these factors – but whatever it is, the Malayalam industry continues to look towards its small towns and villages for inspiration. In a rapidly shrinking world, the local flavours of its cinema are winning fans among multiplex audiences in other states. Unlike other industries, which are trying to make big budget, pan-Indian films in a bid to grab more eyeballs, Malayalam cinema is managing to do that by simply sticking to its true self. Also read: 'Rangasthalam' becomes a big hit in the Us...
- 5/24/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
MollywoodThis film about a Nigerian footballer who comes to Kerala reminds us that compassion is the greatest strength there is. Sowmya RajendranSudani from Nigeria is about a strength that's rarely celebrated in our increasingly aggressive world. The strength of compassion - what everyone, the most fragile of us, is capable of finding within. That this should be the discovery we make in a film that was sold to us as a sports movie, is all the more precious. Zakariya's tender story is built on ordinary moments. A pompous man who shoots off Hindi to a Nigerian because that's his idea of speaking in an alien tongue; an elderly woman who confesses that she had no idea the Nigerian was called 'Samuel' and not 'Sudu' (short for 'Sudani' - how the local people refer to all Africans) after taking care of him for so long; even one of the most poignant scenes in the film, when Samuel (Samuel Abiola Robinson) paints a picture on the wall of the house he's staying in, is not drowned out in melodrama. The first comment that is made is, "Oh no, my wall!", making us laugh with an ache in the heart. Set in Malappuram, Sudani from Nigeria is about the value of all things we take for granted. Whether that's water from a pipe or the love of a parent. Soubin Shahir as Majid, the manager of a sevens football team, and Samuel Robinson who goes by the same name in the film and plays a footballer, are both distant from their families. While the latter is separated by many miles geographically, Majid's distance lies in the heart. The casting is brilliant. Savithri Sreedharan as Jameela and Sarasa Balussery as Beeyummma, quietly assertive, supportive of each other, emerge as unlikely heroes. The writing is exceptionally strong - light, real, and still managing to bring a lump to the throat. It is through these women that Majid and Samuel form a friendship and ultimately find themselves. Soubin and Samuel share a wonderful chemistry on screen. Both actors are well in control and never go overboard. In any other film, Jameela and Beeyumma would have been relegated to making endless cups of tea, barely speaking a word in the background. In Sudani, they lead in a most natural way, without the announcement of a revolution. There is a gentle overturning of cliches all through the film - they don't punch you in the face with the need to look 'different', they surprise you with the realisation that these are realities too, but seldom do they find their way to the screen. Ktc Abdulla's fragile smile broke my heart. He doesn't have much to say, but that earnest expression, that ability to absorb rudeness and not retaliate...we recognise it as power, the power to be the bigger person, through Sudani. Technically, too, Sudani is a superior film. Whether it's the camera work (Shyju Khalid) or the music (Rex Vijayan, Shahabaz Aman), the film comes together to build a certain warmth that looks deceptively simple to achieve but is not. We hear many languages throughout the film - Yoruba, Hindi, Malayalam, Manglish, Nigerian English - there's comedy through mistranslation and misinterpretation, yes, but beautifully, meaning is not lost in translation. Rather, it is found. Disclaimer: This review was not paid for or commissioned by anyone associated with the film. Neither Tnm nor any of its reviewers have any sort of business relationship with the film's producers or any other members of its cast and crew.
- 4/7/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe Nigerian actor had earlier alleged that he was paid less for his role in the Malayalam film because of racism.Tnm StaffFacebook/Samuel RobinsonNigerian actor Samuel Abiola Robinson who acted in the Malayalam film Sudani from Nigeria had alleged last week that he was underpaid for his role. Samuel had posted on his social media pages that he had been paid very less money for his role in Sudani from Nigeria and that he believes it is because he is African that the makers offered him so little. However, on Wednesday, Samuel put up a post on Facebook saying the makers of the film, Happy Hours Entertainment, had gotten in touch with him to settle the issue and that he had received a reasonable sum for his work. “To settle this, I have received confirmation receipt of payment for reasonable sum as salary for my work on Sudani from Nigeria,” he wrote on his Facebook page. The actor further added that after his discussion with the filmmakers, he now believed that there was no racism but it was a case of misunderstanding and miscommunication. Samuel wrote, “I previously ascribed racial discrimination to the treatment I had received but deeper enlightenment and explanation by The Happy Hours Entertainment make me believe that this was not a case of racial discrimination but a case of misunderstanding, miscommunication and misinformation (sic).” He also apologised to the people of Kerala adding, “There is almost completely no Racism in Kerala and I believe Kerala is one of the friendliest places in Asia for an African to visit.” Samuel also thanked Thomas Isaac, the Finance Minister of Kerala, for his support in resolving the issue. In his post, he also requested everyone to “not direct any hatred or contempt” towards Shyju Khalid, Zakariya, Sameer Thahir or anyone involved with the Happy Hours Entertainment and explained that “disagreements” and “miscommunication” are common among “family members”. Samuel also added that he would be donating a part of the amount he received to The Red Card Anti-Racism education charity. “I ask you to join me in doing so by visiting www.theredcard.org,” he wrote. Samuel had earlier alleged that he was subjected to unfair and racial treatment while in Kerala. “It was nothing violent or directly in my face but for my role in Sudani from Nigeria, the producers offered me far less money than Indian actors who are not half as popular or accomplished as i am would normally earn. I only became better enlightened after meeting with several young actors and discussing payment with them,” he had written. The Facebook post appears to have been removed now. Soon after, Sameer Thahir and Shyju Khalid of the production house clarified that they had drawn up a contract with Samuel “after giving him a clear picture about the low-budget nature of the film and about the limit of remuneration we could give him. He entered into that contract after he agreed on paper with the remuneration. We gave Samuel mutually-agreed remuneration” and denied any racist undertones to the money offered. p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 14.7px Helvetica; color: #222222; -webkit-text-stroke: #222222; background-color: #ffffff} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 17.0px; font: 14.7px Helvetica; color: #500050; -webkit-text-stroke: #500050; background-color: #ffffff} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} span.s2 {text-decoration: underline ; font-kerning: none; color: #0000ff; -webkit-text-stroke: 0px #0000ff} span.s3 {text-decoration: underline ; font-kerning: none; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: 0px #000000}...
- 4/5/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
MollywoodThe producers of the Malayalam film said that they'd fulfilled the contractual obligations and gave Samuel a ‘mutually-agreed' remuneration. Tnm StaffHappy Hours Entertainments, the producers of Sudani from Nigeria, have stepped in to issue an official clarification about African actor Samuel Abiola Robinson's allegation that he was underpaid for his role in the film. Sameer Thahir and Shyju Khalid of the production house said that they had drawn up a contract with Samuel "after giving him a clear picture about the low-budget nature of the film and about the limit of remuneration we could give him. He entered into that contract after he agreed on paper with the remuneration. We gave Samuel mutually-agreed remuneration." The production company further said that they had indeed expressed the hope that if the film became commercially successful, the team would be paid more. "It is a fact that the film still runs to packed houses. But it is equally true that a share of the profit would not reach us until due course of time elapses and unless the usual procedures in the film industry are completed," they said. Acknowledging that Samuel had been "invaluable" for the film, the producers said that they have been hopeful of paying him more but added, "...we want to underline the fact this wish is motivated by an ethics outside the premises of the contractual obligations". Responding to Samuel's allegation that he'd been underpaid because he was African, the producers calling it a "painful" accusation and said, "We exerted no pressure on Samuel to cooperate with us, if he was not satisfied with the amount we offered." They denied there had been racist undertones to the money offered to Samuel. Sameer Tahir and Shyju Khalid further said that Samuel's allegations are prompted by what they consider as "misinterpretation of certain false information provided by some sources" and added that they hoped his friendship with them would continue. Sudani from Nigeria hit the screens in Kerala on March 23 and has become successful at the box-office. However, one of the lead actors, Samuel, expressed discontent at his payment and took to social media to allege that he'd been underpaid because he was African. The film also has Soubin Shahir in a lead role. Samuel has responded to the statement, attaching photographs of his contract which show that he was to have been Usd 1800, which amounts to a little over a lakh. The actor also said that he'd had no idea that the film would also release in countries outside India. Further, he has alleged that he was made to stay in "questionable" places and made to eat "questionable" food during the shoot of the film. Samuel has also included an email he allegedly sent to the producers, detailing the demands he has if he is to participate in the film's promos in Dubai. Read: Paid less because I'm African: 'Sudani from Nigeria' actor slams Malayalam producer\ From people to porotta, I love Kerala: African actor Samuel of 'Sudani from Nigeria'...
- 3/31/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
MollywoodSamuel Abiola Robinson has alleged that he was paid less than Rs 5 lakh and that the producer had not kept his promise of paying him more.Tnm StaffNineteen-year-old Nigerian actor Samuel Abiola Robinson, who recently starred in the Malayalam film Sudani from Nigeria has alleged that he was paid less because of racism. The actor, who plays the role of a footballer in Sudani, put up the allegations on his social media pages. Stating that he experienced racial discrimination from producers in Kerala, Samuel wrote, "I'm saying this now because i cannot sit back and allow it happen to another helpless young black actor. I believe that i was a victim of racial discrimination while in Kerala. It was nothing violent or directly in my face but for my role in Sudani from Nigeria, the producers offered me far less money than Indian actors who are not half as popular or accomplished as i am would normally earn. I only became better enlightened after meeting with several young actors and discussing payment with them. I am of the opinion that this happened purely because of my skin color and the assumption that all africans are poor and don't know the value of money (sic)." Samuel added that the director and writer of the film, Zakariya, had done his best but that he couldn't change things much because he wasn't financing the film himself. In Nigeria, Samuel is a popular actor who has featured in films and TV series, including Desperate Housewives Africa. Calling Zakariya a brilliant director with a "good heart", Samuel went on to say, "Promises were made to me by the producers while shooting to pay me more if the movie eventually becomes successful but no promise has been honoured and now i am back in Nigeria. I believe the promises were simply tools of Manipulation to get me to eagerly commit the 5 months of availability for work being October, November, December 2017, January and March 2018 for the shoot and promotion of the movie (sic)." The actor pointed out that despite the success of the film, the promises made to him had allegedly not been kept: "The movie is a huge commercial success now and i am grateful for all the love that the fans have shown me and i have been privileged to experience the warm culture of Kerala but i can no longer suffer in silence about this. As i am black, it is my responsibility to speak up because it could ease the suffering of the next generation of black actors. Say no to racial or caste discrimination (sic)." In an earlier interview to Tnm before the release of the film, Samuel was asked whether he'd experienced racism in India. At the time, the actor had said, "Well, racism is a problem all around the world. I'd say that for the most part of my stay in Kerala, I've had a very pleasant experience. I haven't experienced any sort of direct racism. I felt very comfortable here. Nobody has treated me badly… no direct discrimination anyway. There may have been some subtle things. But nothing directly, in my face, for the most part. I don't want to dwell on that. I've had a wonderful experience in Kerala." Also read: From people to porotta, I love Kerala: African actor Samuel of 'Sudani from Nigeria' Speaking to Tnm, Samuel said that he'd decided to open up now because the producers had gone back on their word. "I was paid less than the Rs 5-15 lakhs that Indian newcomers receive in Kerala and this is why I believe it is racial discrimination," he said. Samuel further added that he was promised payment before he returned to Nigeria but that he still hasn't received the money. "The producers are acting like the promise didn't exist and this is what prompted me to go to the media," he said. Samuel has also put up a video in which he says he was offended by how he was treated and says he feels he was singled out this way only because of his colour. Sudani from Nigeria released on March 23 in Kerala. It has been produced by Happy Hours Entertainment and distributed by E4 Entertainment. Popular actor Soubin Shahir is also part of the cast. The makers of the film are yet to offer their comments on the issue. Read Samuel's post here:...
- 3/31/2018
- by Monalisa
- The News Minute
InterviewSamuel is the first African actor to play the lead role in an Indian film. Sowmya RajendranInstagram/Samuel Abiola RobinsonAt 19, Samuel Abiola Robinson is a long way from home. The young actor, who has been a part of major productions back in Nigeria, is in Kerala currently, eagerly awaiting the release of his first Indian film – Sudani from Nigeria. But how did Samuel land this role? The star speaks to Tnm about Sudani, his love for porotta and his parents who stood by his decision to quit his studies and become an actor. On landing a role in a Malayalam film Samuel has acted in two films before Sudani from Nigeria. He’s also featured in several TV shows, including Desperate Housewives Africa. Ask him how he ended up in Malappuram all the way from Nigeria and you realise how much the Internet has shrunk the world. "In my country, I've been in a few films and TV shows, so I'm popular there. The producers of this film had had an audition for people from Ghana, some other African countries and some black Americans but they hadn't found the person that they wanted. So the director Zakariya was just googling for African actors, and he found an article about me and saw my picture. From there, he found a way to contact me and that's how I got this film," he says. When Samuel received an email from Zakariya, he wasn't sure if it was genuine. "But when he mentioned the other people involved, such as Soubin Shahir and Shyju Khalid, I did my research and I found that they were real people. I got interested. They were willing to pay and cover all my expenses, so I knew they were genuine because they wouldn't do that otherwise," he says. On preparing for his role Though many Nigerians follow football closely, Samuel isn't a committed fan. In Sudani from Nigeria, he acts as a Nigerian soccer player who joins a football club in Malappuram, Kerala. "I went through very intensive training to learn football for this film. Actually, it's not that I'm not a football fan… I'm not against football. Sometimes I watch a game and I really enjoy it but it's not something I do every day. I've only played football as a child in school but I haven't really played it like this, at a professional level. You have to do the training to get the attitude and real skills of a football player," he says. The training happened in the Hilite Mall in Calicut and a ground in Malappuram where sevens football is played. On falling in love with Kerala – people and porotta Asked if it was difficult for him to adapt to a new culture and language, Samuel says, "Actually no. When I came here, I had mixed feelings. It was my first time abroad. I'd worked all over Nigeria but I'd never gone out of the country. It was my first international flight, so I had a lot of mixed feelings. I didn't know what to expect. But when I came here, people were so nice to me. Sometimes, yes, the language… it can be a bit difficult to communicate. But most people I met here actually speak English, so that hasn't really been any problem," he says. Adding that he found the people of Kerala to be very "kind and loving", Samuel says he loves the state's culture. "There was a time on the set when strangers near where we were shooting came and invited everyone to dinner at their house. And all of us, Soubin, I… we all went and ate there. I wasn't used to that. Everybody was just so kind," he says. Hindi films and Bollywood stars are popular in Nigeria, says Samuel. He has watched films like The Lunchbox, Paa, Lagaan and some others, but he hadn't watched any Malayalam films before he got the opportunity to act in one. Commenting on Malayalam cinema, Samuel says, "People pay a lot of attention to detail. I think most people here do the work not for the money but for appreciation for the art of filmmaking – and that's not very common in Nigeria. So it was very refreshing to experience that. Making films for the pleasure of filmmaking and not for profit." In the promos of the film, one can see Samuel jumping into a pond with the Malayalis and pretty much immersing himself in the local culture. Ask him if he enjoyed that and he says, "Every role has its challenges. In this particular role, the biggest challenge was learning football. Other than that, it was very easy for me to adapt to Kerala culture. I really enjoyed my time...I enjoyed swimming in that pond. I enjoyed filming. I even enjoyed trying to speak some Malayalam!" That's not all, Samuel is also a fan of Kerala food, including the porotta. "I enjoyed eating porotta, dosa, appam, and all the curries. Kerala culture is very vibrant and wonderful. I'm very happy. I feel privileged to have come here and experienced this culture. Not all people have such an opportunity," he says. On working with Soubin Shahir Soubin Shahir shot to fame with his role as the Pt master in Premam. Since then, he has gone on to play more comic roles, act as the villain and even direct a film! Sudani from Nigeria will see him play a lead role for the first time. Commenting on his experience of working with Soubin, Samuel says, "Working with Soubin was amazing. He's a phenomenal actor. And he's not just a funny guy. Soubin has quite a lot to offer as a dramatic actor as well. He can be very intense. It was very easy to work with him. He was very professional." When the camera was not rolling, Soubin would prank him. "Sometimes the days could be very long and everyone would be tired and stressed out. He always provided relief… he'd do something and everyone would burst out laughing," he recalls. On confronting racism Samuel is the first African actor to play the lead role in an Indian film. Indian cinema has for long portrayed dark skin and the black identity in a derogatory way. This is, of course, reflective of the kind of racist attitudes we see in society. Asked if he encountered any such unpleasant experiences, Samuel pauses to think for a bit. Then he says: "Well, racism is a problem all around the world. I'd say that for the most part of my stay in Kerala, I've had a very pleasant experience. I haven't experienced any sort of direct racism. I felt very comfortable here. Nobody has treated me badly… no direct discrimination anyway. There may have been some subtle things. But nothing directly, in my face, for the most part. I don't want to dwell on that. I've had a wonderful experience in Kerala." Encouraged by his experience of working in the Malayalam industry, Samuel says he's looking forward to working in other films too. "Yes, I'm very open to it. I'd like very much to work in the Tamil industry or Telugu… or even Hindi. I love Shah Rukh Khan. So far I've only met some producers and directors. It's mostly been talks, pretty much in the pre-production stage, so I can't really talk about them. The scripts are just being written now, nothing concrete yet," he says. It's a lot for a 19-year-old to take but Samuel has his feet on the ground. "I come from a family of three. My parents have been very supportive of my career. They provided everything I needed. They allow me to have my independence. I have my own apartment though they take care of me, of course. I'm very happy to be their son," he adds, with a laugh. "They were very proud of me when I got this project. I'm very grateful for all their love and support." Even as the young man is excited about his acting career taking off, he adds that he will be going back to university to study further when he can afford to take a break.
- 3/22/2018
- by Editor
- The News Minute
TrailerThe film is about Sevens Football, a version of the game played in the Malabar region of Kerala.Tnm StaffMalabar in Kerala is one of the few places in India where football rules people’s hearts over cricket. Sevens football, a version of the game which has been played in the coastal region for many years, has now found place in an upcoming Malayalam film, Sudani from Nigeria. The trailer for the film was released on Saturday. Starring actor-director Soubin Shahir and African actor Samuel Abiola Robinson, the film is about a football player from Nigeria, who joins a football club in Malappuram for the Sevens. Sevens football is played between teams which have seven players each, and the games are held between November and May every year. Tnm reported earlier, “Come summer and the small towns and villages in Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur, Wayanad and Kasaragod wake up to soccer frenzy. It is a different kind of soccer called Sevens. There are only seven players in each team; the rules are different, the playing field is smaller and rigorous refereeing doesn’t kill the excitement of the game.” The Sevens, while approved neither by the Kerala Football Association nor FIFA, are hugely popular with the villages having their share of clubs and rivalries. Players from African countries also come to play in the Sevens, and collectively take home around two crore rupees for a season. Directed by Zakariya, the film is touted to be a comedy. It is produced by Sameer Thahir and Shyju Khalid, with a screenplay by Muhsin Parari and Zakariya. Rex Vijayan has composed the music. “While Samuel finds a fanbase, an injury plays spoilsport and he has to stay with Majeed’s (Soubin Shahir) family for two months,” Zakariya, a native of Malabar himself, told The Hindu. “The film also highlights how many sponsors often fail to think beyond the game when they ‘import’ these players. They are not prepared for eventualities such as injuries,” Zakariya added. ‘Kurrah Football Anthem’, a song from the film, was released earlier, and is already a hit with the fans. Actor Soubin, who also plays the owner of the football team that brought Samuel to Kerala, was earlier in the news for his directorial debut Parava, a coming of age film starring Dulquer Salman. Watch the trailer of Sudani from Nigeria here.
- 3/12/2018
- by Geetika
- The News Minute
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