Beast of Two Worlds (Ajakaju) is a 2024 Nigerian thriller film produced by Eniola Ajao and directed by Adebayo Tijani and Odunlade Adekola.[1] The film stars Eniola Ajao, Odunlade Adekola, Sola Sobowale, Femi Adebayo, Lateef Adedimeji, Fathia Balogun, Bimbo Akintola, Olayode Juliana and others.[1] The film which is Ajao's debut cinema production was produced in collaboration with Anthill studios owned by Niyi Akinmolayan.[2] Beast of Two Worlds (Ajakaju) was released to the Nigerian cinema on Friday, 29 March 2024.[3]
| Beast of Two Worlds | |
|---|---|
| Directed by |
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| Produced by | Eniola Ajao |
| Starring | |
Release date |
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| Country | Nigeria |
| Language | Yoruba language |
Synopsis
editBeast of Two Worlds (Ajakaju) tells the story of King Towobola (played by Odunlade Adekola) with three queens (played by Fathia Balogun, Bimbo Akintola and Mercy Aigbe respectively), who couldn't give him the apparent heir to the throne, the King's reign soon becomes threatened after the village priests warns that the King had some years left to provide the heir to the throne or he will have to leave the throne and the town at large. On a fateful day, the King surprises the kingdom with a strange woman whom he says is his newest Queen. Adaralewa (played by Eniola Ajao) has no roots and no one could trace where she comes from, and after some time, she gets pregnant and gives the King a son, but upon delivery she throws the child into the fire. This gets the King and Kingdom upset, but after sometime, the King gives her another chance and she bears the King a son again but this time throws him into a river. After she throws the second child into the river, The audience is shown a flashback through the king's narration, A great hunter known as Odenla(Femi Adebayo) went to offer a sacrifice to the forest spirit so that his hunt could be bountiful. [4]
Selected cast
edit- Odunlade Adekola as King Towabola[5]
- Sola Sobowale as King's Mother
- Eniola Ajao as Adaralewa
- Fathia Balogun as Oyenihun / Queen 1
- Bimbo Akintola as Abiade / Queen 2
- Mercy Aigbe as Oyeyiola / Queen 3
- Lateef Adedimeji as Alani
- Ibrahim Chatta as Olu Ode
- Tayo Amokade as Sekere
- Yinka Quadri as Oloye Otun
- Peju Ogunmola as Iyalode
- Murphy Afolabias Olu Awo
- Femi Adebayo as Ode Apa Igala
Production and release
editThe film which was released to the cinema on 29 March 2024 grossed N101.2 million within five days of release.[6] The premiere which held earlier before release to the cinema was accompanied with backlash following the announcement of crossdresser/transgender Bobrisky as the 'Best Dressed Female' at the premiere, this announcement which the producer later said was a publicity stunt[7] to further put her film in the limelight resulted in a lot of backlash and controversy.[8][9]
References
edit- ^ a b Oloruntoyin, Faith (2024-02-16). "Here's all you need to know about Niyi Akinmolayan's 'Beast of Two Worlds'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-04-07.
- ^ Acho, Affa (2024-02-17). "FilmOne Releases Official Trailer For "Beast Of Two Worlds"". Retrieved 2024-04-07.
- ^ Rapheal (2024-03-29). "Ajakaju: Eniola Ajao's film, Beast of Two Worlds, hits cinema today". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-04-07.
- ^ Stephen, Onu (2024-04-06). "Movie Review: 'Ajakaju: Beast of Two Worlds' is copy of 'Beauty and the Beast' gone awry". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-04-07.
- ^ Ige, Rotimi (2024-02-23). "LightHouse Pictures and Anthill Studios set to release 'Beast of Two Worlds'". Tribune Online. Retrieved 2024-04-07.
- ^ "Eniola Ajao's Beast of Two Worlds, 'Ajakaju' rakes in N101.2m in 5 days". Vanguard.
- ^ Fasan, Yewande (28 March 2024). "Eniola Ajao bows, announces new 'Best Dressed Female' winners". The Nation.
- ^ "Best beastly babes at Beast of two worlds' premiere and the controversies". Vanguard.
- ^ Iwalaiye, Temi (2024-03-25). "Bobrisky wins best-dressed female at the 'Beasts of Two Worlds' premiere". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-04-07.