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Recently, in Nollywood, certain director-actor collaborations have captured our attention. The partnership between director Kayode Kasum and actor Timini Egbuson is one example. Their joint efforts have resulted in films of diverse topics, which have been met with mixed reactions.
Kasum debuted with Dognapped, a heartwarming family comedy about an aspiring comedian, Andy (Tope Tedela) who forms an unlikely bond with a talking dog. But it was his shoestring sophomore, Oga Bolaji (2018), that put him on the radar. Since then, he has become one of Nollywood’s directors with varied genres under his belt.
Timini Egbuson, on the other hand, has grown from a promising young actor to one of Nollywood’s most in-demand talents. His characters under Kasum’s guidance have shown a breadth of range, from light-hearted comedy roles to drama.
In an interview at the Reel Love premiere, Kasum praised Timini’s work ethic and positive energy, citing them as key reasons for their frequent collaborations. He noted that they share these qualities, which makes working with Timini effortless.
With their latest project, Reel Love, in cinemas from February 14, it’s a fitting time to revisit their previous collaborations.
- Ponzi – Ponzi‘s narrative entertains and also reflects on the spate of Ponzi schemes like MMM that was prevalent in the country from 2015 to 2018 and the betting pandemic. Building on the theme of financial deceit, the movie further explores the world of get-rich-quick schemes with Egbuson’s Ikenna playing a more central role, his performance is pivotal in balancing the film’s comedic tone, ensuring the audience laughs even as they contemplate the moral implications of his action. Ponzi allows Kasum to showcase the harsh realities of poverty and greed. But it sacrifices plot unification and characters’ harmonisation for mundane comedy that comes off disjointed.
- Dwindle: In this crime comedy, Egbuson plays Josiah Otunba, Governor Otunba’s son. Facing a dire 48-hour ultimatum from a ruthless money lender, he hires the notorious criminal to abduct his father, intending to extort a substantial ransom to settle his debts and avoid a deadly fate. Though his role is minor, Egbuson shows off his comedic chops to amplify his performance. With themes revolving around the rollercoaster of newfound wealth, Dwindle is in the league of Sugar Rush, Money Miss Road, and Bank Alert.
- Love Is Yellow: The narrative centres on Egbuson’s Oladayo, a tech entrepreneur who becomes disillusioned with his once-colourful aspirations in Lagos. As he tries to survive the city’s challenges, he encounters individuals and experiences that inspire him to rekindle his “Lagos Dream,” prompting a journey of self-discovery and renewed ambition. Based on IMDb ratings, fans’ reactions to the movie are positive.
- Something Like Gold – Here, Egbuson plays Demola, a man who ends his romantic relationship with his fiancée, Tamara Jola-Scott (Sandra Okunzuwa), due to her father’s corrupt practices with his father. This movie tries to explore the intersection of family drama and romance, but it struggles to find a clear direction. The lack of a central narrative makes it challenging to cohesively tie the different plot components together. While the film attempts to balance both genres, the transitions sometimes feel abrupt, leading to moments of confusion for the director, characters, and the audience. Kasum tries to save face with his directing, and Egbuson’s acting couldn’t save the non-existence of a central plot. In the end, their efforts here don’t end up like gold.
- All Is Fair In Love: Egbuson’s Kanla deeply strives to manoeuvre his way through the entanglement of a love triangle involving Buhle Samuels’ Mbali and Deyemi Okanlawon’s Demi. Instead of the men winning her heart, Buhle makes them puppets in her money laundering scheme. This film is a formulaic Nollywood romance with a thin plot. What could a director do to salvage a movie that’s already ruined from conception and scripting? Nothing. Egbuson couldn’t help with his acting either.
- Ajosepo – This film tells the beautiful chaos often associated with Nigerian weddings. It shows the spirit of a family in preparations for a union that hilariously and dramatically goes awry. Egbuson’s portrayal of Jide, a brother caught in the chaos of wedding preparations, speaking in Yoruba, is delightful. Kasum’s direction brings out the humour and warmth of family bonds and chaos of old Nollywood, making Ajosepo a cultural experience wrapped in comedy. The film’s success at the box office and its critical acclaim reflect Kasum’s skill in telling a story with cultural context as he did in Afamefuna: An Nwa Boi Story.
- Reel Love – This is a romantic drama that promises to explore the complexities of love, identity, and ambition. The story revolves around two sworn enemies who concoct a pretend romance to gain online popularity, only to discover that their fabricated feelings flourish into genuine affection. Egbuson not only stars but also steps into the role of co-executive producer, marking a significant milestone in his career. “I wanted to make a movie with soul…Reel Love is a story close to my heart,” Egbuson said during the movie premiere. “It speaks to the reality of love in the digital age—how we connect, break, and heal. I wanted to create an authentic, relatable, and deeply moving Valentine’s movie.”
Reel Love premiered in cinemas on February 14, grossing over ₦99 million in its opening weekend. This milestone set a new record as the highest opening weekend ever for a first-time producer and the strongest debut for a Valentine’s film in Nollywood history. And for their future projects, one hopes it gets better than their previous offerings. Fingers crossed, we are on the lookout for what would bring them together next.
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