Veteran Nollywood actor Saidi Balogun has revealed that he was still mourning the death of his daughter, Zeenat Balogun, when he joined the cast of the movie Ewo.
Speaking at the film’s premiere at Genesis Cinema, Maryland, Lagos, the actor emotionally disclosed that he began filming the project just two weeks after the devastating loss.
“I lost my daughter two weeks before I went on this set. So on that set, I won’t lie, at times I was just talking, but I wasn’t there,” Saidi said.
The actor also shared that the production faced a series of accidents, further compounding the emotional and physical strain on the cast and crew.
“After that, we had an accident – actually three accidents – but today, nobody is dead; we are all alive,” he added.
Directed by AMVCA-winning filmmaker Ekene Mekwunye, Ewo is inspired by a true story from western Nigeria in 2005, following the death of the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Lipede, and the shocking events that unfolded when his youngest wife allegedly fled with his corpse.
Ekene revealed that the unusual story captivated him for years:
“It was said that his youngest wife fled with his corpse. I came across this account about ten years ago, and it simply wouldn’t leave my head. By 2018, I started working on the treatment and wrote the screenplay afterward.”
Titled Ewo — a Yoruba word for “taboo” — the movie delves into the conflict between traditional Yoruba customs and Christian beliefs, raising questions about the erosion of cultural values in modern society.
“This clash between Christianity and traditional beliefs… raised questions about the erosion of cultural values in a modernizing society,” Ekene added.
The star-studded cast includes Saidi Balogun, Bimbo Ademoye, Moyo Lawal, Taiwo Hassan, Jaiye Kuti, Tina Mba, Akin Lewis, Yinka Quadri, Dele Odule, Kunle Coker, and Osareme Inegbenebor.
Saidi’s daughter, Zeenat (also known as Zainab), tragically passed away in October 2024. The actor shared a touching candle-lit tribute on social media but did not disclose the cause of death. His ex-wife, actress Faithia Williams, also mourned her passing with an emotional tribute.
Despite facing intense personal grief and on-set challenges, Saidi Balogun remained committed to delivering his role, helping bring to life a powerful story about faith, culture, and identity.
