Nollywood veteran actor Chiwetalu Agu says he’s never heard of Gideon Okeke, his much younger colleague who accused him of being excessively vulgar in movies.
Okeke had recently criticised Agu’s knack for vulgarity and also called on the National Film and Videos Censors Board (NFVCB) to do its job.
The actor’s comments had earned him harsh criticism from his fellow actor, Chioma Akpotha and fans of Agu.
In an interview with Punch, Agu said he’s never heard of Okeke and urged the actor to allow the NFVCB perform its role as the custodian of morality in the movie industry.
He described his vulgarity as satire and noted that he’s won numerous awards across Africa because of his style of acting.
Agu said: “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.”
“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,” he said.
Comic-actor turned-politician, Tony One Week had, however, expressed support for the standpoint of Okeke.
He had said: “I read that Gideon condemned Chiwetalu Agu’s vulgarity in movies and actress Chioma rebuked Gideon. And I ask: For what?
“The young man simply stated the very obvious. Famous actor Chiwetalu Agu’s lines can be very irritating. How can you say a vulgar word or sentence and repeat it from the very beginning to the end of the movie?
“This is not about Gideon. The issue I am interested in is the uncontrollable immorality in our movies and lines. Even in music too. The agents of darkness are really working. A role model should be a role model,” Tony One Week added.
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despite all the accusations, chiwetala agwu still remains the best comic actor, his way of acting depicts what is happening in our society at large
As a matter of fact, should Chiwetalu Agu changes His style of action or even stops acting, I will personally lose interest in Nollywood movies.
Whenever Agu is featured in a movie, it gets me glued to the TV Screen. His Comic and repeated phrases are just what outplayed other traditional actors. I can’t just get enough of Him in a movie.
He deserves more awards.