Nollywood veteran actor, Chiwetalu Agu has reacted
to the recent attack on him by Tinsel actor, Gideon Okeke, who slammed him
(Agu) for using vulgar words in movies.
Okeke recently took to his instagram page to attack Agu for the
use of crude words in films.
He wrote, “You know him as the wicked uncle in films, but I need to check the
sanity of my ears and mind whenever he comes on screen…the measure of liberty
this actor enjoys from directors and producers to improvise vulgarities in
movies is not funny anymore…hiding behind the pretext that not all your audience
understands Igbo language is no excuse to throw all decorum out of the
window…this is a case for the Film and Video Censors Board…”
However, after several attacks from his fans, Gideon deleted the
post.
Reacting, Agu, who is known for his slangs in movies, said he
doesn’t know Okeke existed as an actor.
“Let him leave the censors board to do their job, or does he work with them? Anybody can say anything or come to whatever conclusion they please. The viewers would judge whether I use vulgar words in movies or not.
“People who watch movies are the ultimate judges. I do not even know who Gideon
Okeke is; I do not think I have ever heard his name. If people like AMAA are
talking to me about this, I would know how to react appropriately. But this is
an individual I do not even know. He has his own style, and I have mine which
has won me awards all over the continent and even beyond.”
Speaking further, he said, “This is the first time anyone will
be accusing me of vulgarity. Others have been hailing me. What we do is satire;
we are re-enacting what happens in the society.
“People I have encountered and those who have called me have
been full of praise for me. It will also interest you to know that I am the
highest award-winning actor in Africa. I have 47 awards to my name; and the
second person behind me has not even got up to 10 awards.
“Two years ago, I took two cows to church to celebrate and thank
God for giving me the highest number of awards in Africa. Secondly, I have done
727 productions. It is a rare record in Africa.
“I am also the current holder of the Best Veteran Actor award
which was given to me in Ohio, United States of America. People like Olu Jacobs
and other time-tested Nollywood practitioners were nominated for that same
award but I was chosen. My record is the best in all ramifications. I have
spent about 35 years in the movie industry, and I am a big pillar of
Nollywood.”
“Even former President Goodluck Jonathan confessed about three
years ago that whenever he travels out of the country, foreign leaders ask
after people like me, Jim Iyke, and Genevieve Nnaji. Because of that, he put
N3bn into Nollywood’s account, and asked the former Finance Minister, Ngozi
Okonjo-Iweala to manage the funds for Nollywood.
“This fund is still open to Nollywood practitioners. It goes
without saying that I am very big in Nollywood. I am a father, legend, and
icon,” he told Punch.
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