From architecture to music and now acting, Ogranya wants the world to see that he’s more than capable of taking up any role or task in the creative space. If you’re in the know, then you’ve seen his performance in Freedom Way, his debut film, where he plays Tayo.
Now he’s working the same magic in the second drop of our Life Series Production, Something Sweet. Ogranya plays a more than confident and intentional Leke, ready to do anything to keep this unusual love.
His performance, however, is not something that surprises us. In this article, Ogranya talks about how being a creative has always been part of the program. How personal experience, his co-star, Michelle Dede, and the sounds he creates helped him become a man in love in this Zikoko Life episode.
If you’re looking for something to tune in to while cosying up with your partner, or a lovely feel-good film to settle your heart rate, this is Something Sweet for you.
Can you tell us a bit about your creative career(s)?
I hold a degree in architecture, which I continue to practice and enjoy. But I think people are more familiar with my music. I’m a second-generation artist; my dad was or is a musician, so I basically grew up in a music family.
After university, it seemed like something I could dabble in, so I started playing with production and recording with some friends. We released my first song, and things took off from there.
How did acting come into the picture?
There wasn’t always a full picture for that in my head. I had flirted with the idea in the past, but the most I had done was a play in secondary school. Even that one, I was part of it because of music. I also played a small role in my friend’s short film in 2016 or 2017. I literally had one line.
Seems like you were preparing small-small, even with music being your main interest.
Yeah. In 2022, I was opening for Asa in Lagos, and someone in the audience approached me after the show. She said how I interacted with the crowd and my personality reminded her of the character they’d written for Freedom Way. I’m not sure that I was actively interested in the role, but she put my name down.
The person who was supposed to play my role couldn’t make it, so she reached out to me. I liked the story. I saw that the character wasn’t too far from who I am, so I just said, ‘Okay, let me try this out.’
And how did you feel about Something Sweet when you first read it?
The story made me laugh because, again, like the character in Freedom Way, I could sort of relate to it. I found it interesting and felt like it was something I could do. I was curious to see how I would deliver in the role. The people on the crew and cast also piqued my interest, to be honest, especially Dika and Michelle.
But having personally experienced parts of the story in some form inspired how I felt about the film and ultimately my decision to take on the role. It felt like a natural unfolding of things. Like a new way I could live or embody that experience, or an opportunity to express something from it.
What was your experience like playing Leke in Something Sweet?
It was a bit demanding because it was just me and my love interest. The dynamic felt very intimate and personal. It was different from my other experience. I had to work through certain levels of vulnerability and tenderness, and I think that’s a very delicate place to be. There were difficult moments, especially with starting and getting into character.
Do you think your background in music impacted or influenced this?
Yeah, I think it made it easier. I find that music and film are relatively the same thing. So, I think my background in the type of music I do made it easier to perform and embody those emotions.
In Something Sweet, Leke seems to need to prove something more than the tenderness you’re referring to. Can you explain the thought process behind that?
I mean, there are social dynamics, especially in the context of the story, especially in Lagos. What is attainable matters, and as a young man interested in a successful older woman, part of you feels like you need to step up. The dynamic of their relationship is not well-balanced, and he even takes things a little too far. He was slightly egotistic, but again, we need to understand the story’s context and see why.
What was it like working with Michelle and acting with Ziora?
It was a very pleasant process. We had a first meeting with the entire group and then a personal meeting to get to know each other a bit better for the role. There was a lot of learning for me. So, working with Michelle was really good and helped me a lot.
For Ziora, I think I thought she was interesting. She hadn’t really experienced romance because, well, we know how her first marriage ended. But we see that it was something she wanted, even when she was speaking to her son. I think just seeing that delicateness as well was interesting. Especially because it’s not first nature for her to be like that. She seems a lot more guarded, so watching the process of that coming apart was nice.
That’s also what I meant when I said it was a learning process for me. I had to figure out how to carry myself while chasing an older woman—confident and guarded. It was about seeing a confident woman as a whole person and adjusting some of Leke’s masculinity to create space for her vulnerability. That’s how I approached it. If Leke were chasing a 26 or 24-year-old woman, his character and personality would be different. So around Ziora, it’s like he’s a boy trying to be a mature man. It was interesting to see all of that and how it helped me embody my character in Something Sweet.
How do you feel about these kinds of relationships?
I mean, you cannot stop love. Two people who want each other want each other. Two people who want to be together want to be together. If it happens between older men and younger women, why can’t it happen the other way around?
Do you think the audience will feel the same way?
People will let their prejudices, whether adopted or self-informed, lead the conversation. But, I feel like anyone who watches Something Sweet will understand because, in reality, we know people in these predicaments. I think people will also find the beauty in the story and keep it pushing.
Some of the prejudices are also in the film, like with Leke’s mum when she meets Ziora. Do you think he could’ve handled that situation better?
I think this was actually a conversation we had on set. Ideally, they wouldn’t have met in that moment at all. As the actor, I had to step into his shoes and find a realistic way to navigate the situation. I really empathised with Ziora there. Those aren’t the circumstances anyone should meet their partner’s mother, especially given how unconventional their dynamic already was.
Speaking of reality, how easy do you think it is to navigate these sorts of relationships in reality?
Everything is easier in films, so it definitely won’t be as easy as it was for Ziora and Leke. But it is based on a true story, so reality can also shock you. We also don’t know everything Leke and Ziora went through; it’s a 30-minute film. There must have been so many back-and-forths. It would probably also be easier on a couple if Ziora’s kid were younger. Transitioning into that new relationship will be easier.
Can you tell us how you think the film fits in with shifting gender norms in society?
I think it fits well. Regarding the audience, the film will engage parts of their biases and work on them. I think what we need to do is pray to God that common sense prevails. Something Sweet serves excellently in establishing that society must evolve. There are things we can’t continue, especially if they hold us back.
Do you have any favourite scenes or moments from set?
The scene where Leke realises he loves Ziora, when he’s speaking to his mum. I think everything about that scene was beautiful. Everything felt right; we were by the sea, the sun was setting, and it kind of prepared us for the grand finale.
Click this link to watch Something Sweet. Think of it as a little treat to help you get through the week!
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