Filmmaker Eyiwumi Eyiwunmi, popularly known as Muka Ray, has spoken about his early entry into the film industry, saying he began acting as a child during the era of celluloid films in Nigeria.
Muka said his career started at a time when home video productions were not yet in existence. “I started my career as a kid actor. I’m among the first set of kid actors in celluloid films then. I played Adelove’s son in Taxi Driver. I also acted in Kadara and Jayeisimi,” he said.
He explained that filmmaking during his father’s time was limited to celluloid productions and that the shift to video technology came later through the efforts of industry pioneers. “There were no home videos during my dad’s time. I looked up to the late Alade Aromire then. He was the first to discover that one could shoot on video and be projected on a big screen. That was when we started showing our films across,” Ray said.
Speaking on his work behind the scenes, Ray said he produced his first film shortly after the death of his father. “My first movie was shot in 1989. My dad died in April 1989 and my film was shot in December 1989. It was titled Dukia. Shooting a movie then cost just N2,500. We shot the film in one day,” he said.
Muka Ray has remained active in the Nigerian film industry for decades, particularly in Yoruba films. His acting credits include Oko Asewo, Inu Obinrin, Oro Lanre Pesije, Botife and Okunkun Biribiri. He has also appeared in later titles such as Oju Aye and Law of Karma.
In addition to acting, Muka has worked as a director and filmmaker and has been involved in promoting culture and film development.
