Nollywood filmmakers cast actors based on social media followers – Uzor Arukwe

Popular Nollywood actor Uzor Arukwe says there was a time when social media following was one of the prerequisites for thespians to get movie roles from some producers in the Nigerian movie industry.

He said filmmakers cast actors based on social media followers rather than talent.

The ‘A Tribe Called Judah’ star admitted that it was a “big” challenge for him during his days as a struggling thespian.

“I remember all so clearly when I started. It was a big problem for me,” the 40-year-old actor told Pulse in a recent interview.

“There was a time in this industry when it was mostly about Instagram and Twitter followers, and stuff like that. I didn’t understand it but knew it was something I had to be at peace with, because a production house wants to hire you and they’re looking at your numbers. ‘But can he act?’ That is the question I always ask. But there are some people who are blessed who are fantastic actors who have numbers and they’ve been doing well.”