Nigerian legendary filmmaker, Tunde Kelani, is 70 years old today and people from all walks of life are wishing the icon happy birthday.
Well-meaning Nigerians and fans of the veteran filmmaker took to social media to write beautiful messages to him. Some even posted video clips of their favourite films in honour of Kelani.
The Mainframe Production boss also celebrated his birthday with a post on his Instagram page.
He wrote,
“My 70th Birthday being celebrated over 2 time zones and continents but glued together by love and friendship is special and memorable.
“I wish to thank my wife, children, my family, brothers, sisters, friends, professional colleagues, supporters and benefactors for your kindness, love and support for me during my 70-year journey on earth. I appreciate and love you. God bless you all. TK, Cap-Haitien, HAITI 26th February 2018.”
Kelani is well respected and known for producing movies that are rich in cultural heritage, with an in-depth meaning of the political and social crises that affect the Nigerian society.
In a career spanning more than four decades, TK, as he is fondly called is known to have produced movies that are worthy of safekeeping and are a collector’s item.
He is also known for his love of adaptation of literary material into movies as most of his works have followed that style of filmmaking including “Ko Se Gbe”, “Oleku”, “Thunder Bolt”, “The Narrow Path”, “White Handkerchief”, “Maami” and “Dazzling Mirage.”
In 1991, the award-winning TK started his own production company, Mainframe Films and Television Productions – Opomulero, so he could produce films and not just lend technical support.
At Mainframe, he produced movies such as Ti Oluwa Nile, Ayo Ni Mo Fe, Koseegbe, Oleku, Thunderbolt (Magun), Saworoide, Agogo Eewo, The Campus Queen, Abeni, Narrow Path, Arugba and Maami.
His Latest work, “Dazzling Mirage”, an adaptation from a novel by Olayinka Egbokhare, is a love story of how a sickle-cell patient overcomes social stigma, prejudice and her own low self-esteem, to achieve success, marriage and motherhood.
See some congratulatory tweets:
“Today,Tunde Kelani is acknowledged for his dexterity in handling the camera and also versed in the knowledge of Yoruba culture and tradition, which he is using to promote our rich culture…
— Mr. Jack Robinson (@jackdre02) February 26, 2018
Still celebrating the great Tunde Kelani
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from @kunleafolayan – From all of us… https://t.co/ytTlbYXZbU— Kemi Lala Akindoju (@lalaakindoju) February 26, 2018
I Celebrate you sir A great story teller and Film maker! A man who’s richly blessed with the knowledge of Yoruba Culture and has helped to promote immensely
Happy birthday Tunde Kelani— Lazy Physicist (@_iamColeman) February 26, 2018
Tunde Kelani is 70 and the realization that no one is ever going to live forever. But some men’s work will outlive them and I find relief in that.
— Ponmile (@Ms_Ojo) February 26, 2018
"Today,Tunde Kelani is acknowledged for his dexterity in handling the camera and also versed in the knowledge of Yoruba culture and tradition, which he is using to promote our rich culture…
— Mr. Jack Robinson (@jackdre02) February 26, 2018
