Popular Yoruba actor and comedian, Babatunde Uthman, widely known as Okele, has addressed the widespread belief that his success in the Nigerian film industry was due to the influence of fellow actor, Olaniyi Afonja, popularly called Sanyeri.
In a recently resurfaced interview now going viral on TikTok, Okele denied the narrative, saying he began acting long before Sanyeri entered the spotlight.
Reacting to the interviewer’s mention of the lingering rumour that Sanyeri brought him into the limelight, Okele appeared visibly surprised and irritated, asserting that the narrative is completely false.
He referenced a particular movie he featured in with the late veteran actor Dejo Tunfulu, which he claimed was produced before Sanyeri gained prominence in Yoruba cinema.
Okele said he finds it baffling that people still spread such misinformation about his career journey.
He used the opportunity to highlight his own journey and hard-earned place in the industry, insisting that giving credit to another actor for his rise undermines his years of dedication.
SEE INTERVIEW BELOW
The actor’s emotional tone and body language throughout the clip left many viewers divided.
As the interview continues to trend online, Okele’s comments serve as a reminder of the need to accurately acknowledge individual journeys in Nollywood without erasing hard-earned reputations.
SEE REACTIONS BELOW
Discussion about this post