How Indian Films, Hubert Ogunde Inspired Me into Filmmaking—Mike Bamiloye

The name, Mike Bamiloye is not new to many people conversant with Christian movies in Nigeria. In the early 90s, his faith-based films were hot cakes and they ruled the airwaves then. Those who saw some of his flicks will not forget ‘Agbara Nla’, ‘Fruitless Tree’, ‘Perilous Times’ and countless others.

Many will also not forget names like ‘Isawuru’, ‘Ayamatanga’, and others from his movies in the 90s, when he dazzled viewers.

He arguable introduced and redefined Christian movies in Nigeria and today, he is still the president of Mount Zion Faith Ministries.

Recalling what led him into making films ‘for God’, the Evangelist said he was inspired by an Indian movie titled ‘Sholay’ he watched some years ago. He added that the late Nigerian theatre legend, Hubert Ogunde, gave him the inspiration to do movies that can win souls for God.

“Sometimes around early 1986, I went to a town hall to watch one of Hubert Ogunde’s movies, ‘Jayesinmi.’ The film ended late in the night and the distance to my house was about 10 kilometres.

“I came out of the hall that night with great burden in my heart. I was asking myself when Christian movies would be made to bless souls and touch people’s lives in Nigeria. I carried the burden in my heart and I refused to take a taxi,” he narrated to Newswatch.

Bamiloye, speaking on the high rate of indecent dressing in Nollywood, said the, “Glorification of indecency must stop. Indecent fashions have found their way into our movie industry.

“Clothes that people would not wear naturally on the street are being worn in movies. Ladies are dressing half-nude and new indecent fashions and appearances are being popularized through movie screenings. There should be a regulation against this.”

“Some Western cultures that are never accepted among us are being brought into our homes through movie screenings.

“Violence and destruction is not part of our culture. Gunning people down at broad day light in the presence of passers-by is never part of us. There should be a regulation against violent movies,” the man of God also said.