The Story⚡
Director Toluwani Obayan and her team joined Shock Media for a candid X Spaces discussion on December 14, 2025, sharing personal insights behind the making of Colour Me True, the Nollywood drama now streaming on Prime Video.
Tell Me More
The conversation began with director and co-writer Toluwani Obayan explaining the film’s origins: it started development in 2022 from a personal experience, long before she stepped in to direct. She drew inspiration for the central character, Ivie, from a family member who constantly sought to reinvent herself after rising from humble beginnings, a journey that mirrors the story’s exploration of identity.
Lead actress Shalewa Ashafa, who plays both Ivie and the more polished Sylvia, spoke about the emotional depth required. She felt deeply connected to both perspectives, often conflicted by their situations. Switching between the roles felt natural, as more scenes focused on Ivie, but she emphasised the challenge of confronting inescapable memories: “You can run away from who you are, but memory will always remain.”
Obayan elaborated on the differences between the characters, noting Sylvia’s curated life contrasted sharply with Ivie’s raw authenticity, even though Sylvia’s screen time is shorter.
Producer Tongryang Pantu reflected on joining mid-development after reading a script full of truth and depth. Production proved demanding, with filming in Abuja requiring extensive location scouting for authentic exteriors and logistics to transport the crew.
Production designer Gideon Spice, returning to work with Natives Filmworks after a previous project, praised the script’s structure and visual potential. He joined because of the team’s understanding of design elements.
Costume designers Thally and Talatu Yelji shared their processes: Thally starts by reading the script to view characters through their own lens before collaborating with the director. Talatu recounted a personal hardship during filming in Kuje—an emergency surgery for a large ovarian cyst—but highlighted the team’s support during her recovery.
Actress Eseosa described her excitement upon receiving the script in June, appreciating the chance to play against type. She touched on the difficulty of pretence in an industry that can feel overwhelming.
The group discussed broader themes, including living one’s truth. Thally admitted to being naturally loud and embracing it, while Gideon Spice countered that sometimes a curated version is what audiences need in the moment. Shalewa Ashafa mentioned disrupted sleep from long shooting days as her main challenge.
Obayan closed with thoughts on the film’s visual progression, crediting collaborative efforts, especially the director of photography, for building tension scene by scene. She expressed gratitude for returning to Nigeria with her son to complete the project and for the belief shown by everyone involved.
In Summary
Colour Me True reached the top spot on Prime Video shortly after its December 4, 2025, release, highlighting resonant themes of identity and resilience drawn from real-life experiences. It is still available for streaming on Prime Video.
Thanks for Reading.
Shockng.com covers the big creators and players in the African film/TV industry and how they do business.
Let’s be friends on Instagram @Shockafrica
