Actor, Stephen Anajemba has stated that he doesn’t take roles that will require him to kiss or go to bed with a woman on set.
The role interpreter made this known during an interview with BBC Igbo.
He also lamented that the perquisites from Nollywood movies have declined over the years, prompting him to ban his children from making a career out of acting as he did.
“I don’t act in all films, especially the ones with corruption scenes; I don’t kiss or go into bed with women on set. What’s different in Nollywood now is that it has been modernized with well-schooled actors,” Anajemba said.
“Films don’t pay well anymore. Those you see in Nollywood doing well have something else to earn them money. I asked my children to rule out acting as a career option. You can be popular without necessarily making money.
“Only those who are close to you will know you don’t have a penny. I told my kids I’d sponsor them to emigrate. They work there; bring the yields home. Both the males and females, I banned from Nollywood.
“Forget young actors who are inclined to show off wealth. People who don’t have up to N200,000 brag as though they’re millionaires. When it gets difficult, they go public to solicit funds. Forget all that; we’re all suffering.”
On the challenges he encountered before finding solace in acting, he said “I came from a wretched family; I couldn’t fully acquire education. My dad died in 1970 and my misfortune began. I had to undergo apprenticeships (ịgba boy) before maturity; served four bosses. None paid me a penny,” he said.
“Out of anger, I left for Ondo state, Akure to push trucks. I called one of our relatives in Onitsha and asked him how he could comfortably live like a rich man while his blood brother, was living in penury.
“I would later realize I was serving the ex-apprentice of my former boss. Every morning, I would wash the bikes of my fellow (senior) apprentices before making my way to the market. And I was already married at the time.”