Christian actor and filmmaker, Damilola Mike-Bamiloye, has revealed that his father, Mike Bamiloye, initially rejected the idea of remaking the 1993 Christian classic, Agbara Nla.
Speaking in an interview with The Punch, Damilola said he and his brother, Joshua, first approached their father about remaking the movie about four years ago, hoping to adapt the story to suit a contemporary audience.
According to him, Mike, who founded Mount Zion Films, told them that the time was not right for the project, prompting the brothers to put the idea on hold.
Speaking about the development, Damilola said, “About four years ago, Joshua and I approached my dad with the idea of revisiting some of the old stories, particularly Agbara Nla. We wanted to see how some of those stories could be retold in a contemporary setting for a new generation.”
He explained that the project was revived after he discussed it with a producer friend, Chris, last year.
The producer became interested in the idea and encouraged him to pursue the remake despite the earlier rejection.
Damilola said they eventually returned to his father with the proposal after praying and consulting with other people, only to receive his approval.
“Surprisingly, he did not discourage us. Instead, he gave us his approval and said, ‘Yes, go ahead and do it,’” he said.
The filmmaker said the project, titled Agbara Nla: The Return, was subsequently completed after about 20 to 21 days of filming, adding that he now believes the earlier delay was necessary for the movie to achieve its intended impact.
“When dad told us four years ago that it was not yet time, it was simply because it was not yet time. Looking back, we can see that the timing was part of God’s plan,” he said.
Damilola explained that the remake retains the original storyline and characters but has been adapted to reflect present-day realities and filmmaking standards.
He said, “We are bringing the entire story into this new film. All the characters are represented, and the story, from beginning to end, is captured in the new production.”
According to him, the production also contains new elements that were not in the 1993 version, including a king and the kingdom of Muwonleru, as well as an altercation between the king and Isawuru, the character played by his father.
He added that the opening chapter was written by him and provides more background about Isawuru and his actions, giving audiences a broader understanding of the character.
Damilola also spoke about directing his father, who returns as Isawuru in the new production, describing the experience as emotional because of his childhood memories of the original film.
He recalled that he was only four when the first Agbara Nla was released and often imitated his father’s character while playing with his siblings.
“Now, seeing him step into the same character without having to use powder or makeup to appear older, but instead playing Isawuru at his actual age, is remarkable,” he said.
The filmmaker, who also plays Kola in the new production, said he shared directing responsibilities with his brother, Joshua, to enable him to balance acting with his duties behind the camera.
Damilola said the decision to take the remake to cinemas was deliberate, stressing that the new production had been developed with the cinematic experience in mind.
He said the team used modern cameras, graphics, illustrations and special effects to make the movie appealing to younger audiences while preserving the central message of the original.
“The message is the same, but the technicality and the approach to delivering the message are different. So, it’s done with so much excellence in mind,” he said.
Damilola said the central themes of spiritual warfare, faith and the power of God remain relevant because the message of God’s Word does not lose its relevance with time.
He added that Mount Zion’s focus remains on using drama and filmmaking to evangelise and win souls, even as the ministry embraces new approaches to storytelling.
“The foundation remains the same: God’s Word, winning souls and evangelising through drama,” he said.
