On Thursday, a video of a movie scene where Nollywood actor, Ani Iyoho was set on fire went viral which made many believe that it was a stunt gone too far. In the video, Iyoho was seen getting burnt while filming continued.
However, he posted a message assuring everyone that he is unharmed and that the scene wasn’t a publicity stunt but a movie scene that went very well.
Read the message on his Facebook and Instagram pages:
“To my friends For most of you who have ever commented or sent a chat to me you know I do all I can to respond to them all. So it hurt me deeply to keep you in silence and in the dark during this period. I couldn’t avoid it. The calls were maddening. My phone had to be turned off till the matter was resolved in public where it started.
It worried the production that anything I might say as an individual may be misinterpreted further worsening the situation. I’m truly sorry beyond words for the emotional stress and inconvenience this might have caused you. It wasn’t a publicity stunt for me as some might still want to have you believe. It was a huge misunderstanding, misrepresentation and misinterpretation of events of that day and it took a toll on me in ways I can not explain.
I am however extremely humbled at the love, care and support I got from you during this period. Words fail me. I am indebted to you. Thanks for being there for me and my family. God bless you and yours. Amen. I am well. It was a movie fire scene that went well.”
Ani Iyoho
Meanwhile at the press conference held on Saturday, the director of the movie, ‘Behind the wheels” Stanlee Ohikhuare, stated categorically that the photos and video that went viral was not a publicity stunt as he only posted it on his Facebook wall but people just believed it was a stunt gone wrong. He added that, it was shocking that people do not have faith in Nollywood.
He said, “ What is shocking is the lack of faith that Nigerians have in us (Nollywood). Everybody believe whatever we (Nollywood) do has to be a failure. We put it there but the media blew it out of proportion. You should think before you react. For all those who think Nollywood is a failure, you have failed. We activated what is known as a media influence. That is to create film awareness and industry patronage via media engagement; utilizing the ever evolving social media platform to gain reach and peculiar attention to an entire industry. ”
Ohikhuare also added that government intervention is needed to ensure that there’s adequate funding to curb ugly occurrences like the one insinuated in the circulated video. He however apologized to the public for any harm or misleading information the video and photos may have caused.
