Nollywood actress Osas Ighodaro says her childhood as a Tomboy helped prepare her for the physically demanding role she played in 3 Cold Dishes, the new film produced by Asurf Oluseyi.
Gatekeepers News reports that 3 Cold Dishes follows the story of three women who were trafficked as teenagers and forced into prostitution. The film features Burna Boy and his mother, Bose Ogulu, as executive producers, and boasts a multinational cast including Adebodje Wayidi Adeleke, Taiwo Adeyemi, Prescilia Ahoue, Ruby Akubueze, Mentor Ba, Bambadjan Bamba, Fulbert Bayili, Aldot Bossou, Fanta Dumbai, Sourou Gouvoeke, Maud Guerard, Femi Jacobs, Wale Ojo and Ighodaro herself.
Speaking to our correspondent at a cinema in Ikeja, Lagos, where the movie screened, Ighodaro explained the rigorous preparation the role required—especially learning to speak French.
“I practised so hard to make sure that the French came off as authentic and genuine as possible,” she said. “That is the character of Esosa… she was captured young and put in a place where they only spoke French. So, as an adult, she had to speak it fluently. It took time to rehearse and practise, and I’m glad that you guys liked it.”
On performing action sequences, the actress said it came naturally to her.
“It wasn’t too hard because, naturally, I’m an athletic person; I grew up as a Tomboy. I did many sports, ran around, climbed trees and all of that. I know a lot of people see me as prim and proper and graceful… but there are different layers to me,” Ighodaro noted.
‘3 Cold Dishes’ and the Rise of Afrowood
According to producer Asurf Oluseyi, the film was shot across Nigeria, Benin Republic, Ivory Coast and Mauritania and features multiple languages including French, English, and Yoruba. Its diverse cast includes Senegalese actor Mentor Ba, Ivorian actresses Maud Guerard and Fat Touré, and Beninese actor Sourou Gouvoeke, in addition to several Nigerian stars.
Oluseyi said the film breaks new ground by uniting African languages, regions and talent, describing its cross-border approach as a potential spark for what could become “Afrowood”—a more integrated African film ecosystem.
However, the ambitious production was not without challenges. Filming across multiple African countries presented logistical difficulties, Oluseyi revealed.
“Most of the sequences in 3 Cold Dishes were designed and developed before shooting. For the Mauritania sequence, we had only five days. We faced many challenges and ended up shooting in just three days, but good preparation made it easier,” he said.
The movie also features intense action scenes, all performed by the actors themselves.
“We didn’t have doubles. The actors actually did all their stunts by themselves. The girls were the ones doing their stunts. Osas was the one shooting, likewise the other girls. We never had doubles on the set. It was exciting, and it was also my first time filming in the desert,” Oluseyi added.
