The untold story of Chief Kanran,

Veteran movie actor, Kehinde Segun Remi, also known as Chief Kanran,  is also a movie director. He was born in 1953 in Keesi, Ogun State, Nigeria. 

He started theatre from childhood at a time when dramas were staged during Easter and Christmas. He enrolled at the Centre for Cultural Studies (now Creative Arts Department), University of Lagos, before he proceeded to the Obafemi Awo OAU, where he bagged a diploma in directing, acting and film production. After that, he hosted a television programme on MTV in Lagos, then ventured into film making full time.

Kanran, who is famous for playing a wealthy man in movies, started acting professionally in 1975. His elder brother, Yemi Akiremi, is also an actor, a dancer and outstanding drummer. Some of Karan's role models are late Pa Orlando Martins, Chief (Dr) Hubert Adedeji Ogunde, Chief Duro Ladipo, Jab Adu (Bassey Okon) of Village Headmaster, Jimmy Solanke, Pa Ayanfemi Phillips (Mama Rainbow's husband), Elder Moses Olaiya Adejumo (Baba Sala), among others. 

He played the role of Kurunmi in a play of the same title written by Prof. Ola Rotimi. He also appeared in some episodes of ‘Mirror In the Sun’ and it marked the beginning of his transition from stage to the screen. He played the role of a businessman in a soap opera, 'Images'. His breakthrough was on stage when he acted in Langbodo, Nigeria's drama entry to Festac' 77 at the National Arts Theatre Iganmu, Lagos.  On television, he acted as Alaafin Kanran in a drama shown on Lagos Television, October 1, 1988.

Karan, who celebrated his 50th anniversary as an actor in 2015, starred in the now rested TV soap, ‘Megafortune’, playing the role of General Philips in 13 episodes. He has featured in many movies such as: 'Vigilante', 'Ose- Sango', 'Eri Okan', 'Itunnu', Eewo', 'Idunnu', 'Orire', 'Ofa Oro', 'Ajaka Oko', 'Great Bird of Eternity', 'Sharttered Bridge', Oba Oluaiye', 'Bibi Ire', 'Ilu le', 'I50 Million', to mention but a few.

In 2017, he lost his lost his house and film equipment to a fire incident. Years after, he lost his wife to cancer. His four cars went with the disaster, some were sold, one got knocked, another got burnt.

Outside acting, Chief Karan, who celebrated his 70th birthday recently, is a Primate in Cherubim and Seraphim, a white garment church.

Source: Yomi Akinsola