Famous Nollywood actor Francis Odega, renowned for his popular slang “gerara here,” has expressed concern over what he described as the declining quality of Nigerian films.
During a recent interview, the actor compared earlier productions in Nollywood with present-day movies, asserting that films produced in the past were of better quality. He attributed this to what he sees as the current trend of stretching a single storyline into multiple films.
He said: “Nollywood of then is better than Nollywood now. Back then, one script would produce just one movie. But now, one script can be stretched into seven movies, which is not right. It becomes watery.”
“It’s better to produce one movie that is tight and gripping. But now, one story is diluted and turned into several films with little substance. Even me, I don’t watch movies.”
Odega also reflected on his long-standing role in the industry.
“I was among the people who made Nollywood. When we started, it was just a phenomenon.”
“Our organisation used to be called the Nigerian Actors Guild before it was later changed to the Actors Guild of Nigeria. Nollywood came after that. So, I am one of the pioneers. I have been in the movie industry for over 30 years.”