Nollywood veteran Charles Inojie has voiced his apprehension regarding the surging influx of individuals into the Nigerian film industry. During an interview on the Honest Bunch Podcast, the actor expressed dismay over the growing trend of aspiring actresses leveraging Nollywood as a platform for their personal businesses.
Inojie criticized a subset of newcomers who, in his view, lack a genuine interest in Nollywood and are primarily using the industry as a promotional tool for their other ventures. Describing them as ‘daughters of Jezebel,’ he asserted that they actively pursue relationships with Nollywood directors and producers for ulterior motives, aiming to secure roles merely as a means to bolster their businesses.
Those set of people who pay movie producers to star in a movie are only chasing after a title. They just want to hold onto it as a side hustle, as many of them are into businesses. They just need a tag to Nollywood,” Inojie remarked.
He highlighted a time in the industry when a noticeable influx occurred, expressing concern about individuals not aspiring to build lasting careers but rather seeking a label to enhance their business profiles.
Inojie emphasized the potential dangers when encountering filmmakers not well-versed in industry norms, suggesting that these ‘daughters of Jezebel’ can exploit such situations to their advantage.
The influx of the daughters of Jezebel coming into the industry can’t even pass auditions, and they’re buying the latest Range Rovers and 150 million naira mansions,” Inojie lamented, drawing attention to the apparent disconnection between talent and success in the industry.
As discussions around the commercialization of Nollywood continue, Inojie’s comments shed light on the challenges faced by the industry in maintaining its artistic integrity amidst the influx of individuals with varied motives. The veteran actor’s concerns echo broader discussions within the entertainment community about the balance between commercial interests and the artistic essence of filmmaking.
