Veteran Nollywood actor, Wale Ojo, has expressed his belief that contemporary actors in the industry prioritize “fake acting” over genuine artistry.
Ojo firmly stated that modern-day Nollywood actors have forsaken the naturalness that was once the hallmark of their veteran counterparts.
The British-Nigerian thespian made these remarks during a recent interview with Hip TV.
“When I used to watch the old Nollywood, those were the stories that used to captivate me. Films featuring Ramsey Noah, Rita Dominic, Pete Edochie, Omotola Jalade, and Genevieve Nnaji were exceptional. The stories were compelling, and the performances were outstanding,” Ojo reminisced.
“I understand that times have changed, but in this era of artificial intelligence, modern-day actors seem to embrace a more artificial style of acting instead of the authenticity that was once prevalent in old Nollywood—something that can still be found in Yoruba movies, I must add,” he continued.
Ojo fondly recalled the powerhouses of old Nollywood, such as Hubert Ogunde, Jide Kosoko, Baba Suwe, and Papilolo, who epitomized true excellence at the time.
“Times have indeed changed, and change is necessary. There’s been progress, but some aspects have regrettably taken a downturn. I can empathize with the yearning to return to the old Nollywood. It would be wonderful to merge the essence of the old Nollywood with the innovations of the new, creating a symbiotic relationship that would truly delight our audiences,” Ojo concluded.
