Nollywood veteran, Kanayo O. Kanayo, has raised concerns about the misleading portrayal of dressing and makeup in Nollywood movies. In a video shared on his Instagram page, he emphasized that many filmmakers fail to align with movie costumiers, leading to inaccurate representations on screen.

Captioning the video, Kanayo wrote, “Many Nollywood producers paint the wrong picture of dressing/makeup in the movies, all in the name of fine pictures. It’s misleading.” He further highlighted the significance of filmmaking as a means of agenda setting in national development, especially concerning culture and tradition.

The actor expressed his discontent with some unrealistic scenes, such as wealthy characters dressing casually or lounging fully dressed on a sofa at home. He also pointed out instances where women are depicted wearing full makeup while cooking or sleeping with wigs and facial foundation. Kanayo urged his colleagues in the industry to be more mindful of such discrepancies and strive for authenticity.

He emphasized that part of his PhD dissertation focused on “The Role of Nollywood in Shaping and Sustaining a Nigerian Cultural Identity.” By being more realistic in the images created through filmmaking, the industry can gain credibility and hold a more influential position on the national and international stage.

Kanayo cited the success of the music industry, particularly Afrobeat, which has achieved global recognition and significant financial gains. He encouraged Nollywood to follow suit and surpass the achievements of the music industry by producing more authentic and culturally representative content.

In conclusion, Kanayo O. Kanayo’s message serves as a call to action for Nollywood filmmakers to be more responsible and thoughtful in their portrayals, as this will not only contribute to the industry’s growth but also play a vital role in shaping Nigeria’s cultural identity.