Shamsudeen Ayinla, son of late Apala music legend Ayinla Omowura, has said his family received ₦800,000 for the film about his father and believes the family deserves a fairer share of the movie’s financial success.

Speaking about the Ayinla Omowura movie, Shamsudeen said the amount paid to the family did not reflect what he believes the production generated from the story and legacy of the celebrated musician.

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He called for greater fairness in how proceeds from films based on the lives of prominent artists are shared with their families, particularly when those stories draw extensively on a person’s name, music and personal history.

“Our family got ₦800,000 for the movie,” Shamsudeen said.

His comments have reopened a broader conversation about the rights of families when the lives and legacies of deceased cultural figures are adapted for film.

The film Ayinla, directed by Tunde Kelani and produced by Jade Osiberu, tells the story of Ayinla Omowura, one of Nigeria’s most influential Apala musicians.

The 2021 film stars Lateef Adedimeji as the legendary singer and explores his rise, music, relationships and turbulent final years.

Omowura, who died in 1980 at the age of 47, remains an enduring figure in Nigerian music, particularly in Ogun State and among admirers of Apala music.

His distinctive voice and socially conscious lyrics helped establish Apala as an important cultural force, while his songs frequently reflected everyday life, morality, politics and social relationships.

For Shamsudeen, however, the conversation is not solely about money. He also used the opportunity to remember his father as a generous man whose influence extended beyond his music.

He recalled his father’s kindness and the impression he left on people around him, offering a more personal portrait of the musician whose public legacy has endured decades after his death.

The dispute over compensation highlights the delicate balance involved when filmmakers transform the lives of real people into commercially successful stories.

Biographical films can introduce historic personalities to younger audiences and preserve aspects of cultural heritage that might otherwise fade.

At the same time, questions can arise over consent, intellectual property, compensation and the involvement of surviving relatives.

In the case of Omowura, the film brought renewed attention to a musician whose influence continues to resonate within Nigerian popular culture.

Shamsudeen’s demand for a fairer share does not diminish the cultural value of the production, but instead raises questions about whether families whose histories form the foundation of such projects should benefit more directly from their commercial success.

The comments are likely to add to ongoing discussions about how Nigeria’s entertainment industry treats the legacies of deceased musicians and other cultural icons.

For Omowura’s family, the issue is now about more than the ₦800,000 reportedly received.