Veteran Nollywood actor, Chinedu Okeke, has opened up about his decision to leave the movie industry, citing typecasting as the major reason for his exit.
The actor, who became well-known for his portrayal of hitmen and armed robbers in several Nollywood films, said the limited scope of roles he was offered began to affect his personal life and public image.
Speaking in a recent interview, Okeke shared how fans and the public started associating him with the criminal characters he portrayed on-screen.
“See, there are certain roles you play in movies that make you stigmatised with them. I was very cool playing the bad boy, hitman roles, until fans started saying ‘see that thief for film’ when they saw me off camera,” he explained.
Despite his dedication to the craft, Okeke revealed that his efforts to diversify his roles were met with resistance from Nollywood directors and producers.
“I live a very responsible life and I am educated. I tried to talk to directors to see if they could place me elsewhere, but every role was about crimes. It was as if they couldn’t see my potential beyond being a criminal on-screen,” he said.
Okeke’s decision to leave Nollywood reflects a larger conversation within the Nigerian film industry about the impact of typecasting on actors’ careers.
“I had to take my leave because I know I can do better,” Okeke stated. “Nollywood needs to do more in creating diverse roles