Popular Nollywood actor Olaniyi Afonja, widely known as Sanyeri, has opened up about a past controversy involving a masquerade role in a movie production.
According to the actor, he declined to participate in playing a masquerade character in the film. He disclosed that fellow actor Femi Adebayo and entertainer Kamilu Kompo also rejected the role.
Sanyeri explained that the producers later sought non-actors to play the masquerade characters, while he and others were expected to unveil the costume for them during the production process.
“After the movie, we had issues with the masquerade people and they dragged with us,” he said, suggesting that disagreements arose following the film’s release.
The actor further claimed that the situation became unsettling for his family, stating that his son — who had not previously encountered masquerade displays — began having disturbing dreams afterward.
Masquerade traditions hold deep cultural and spiritual significance in many Nigerian communities, particularly within Yoruba heritage, and their portrayal in films has sometimes sparked debate.
The remarks have since generated reactions among fans and industry stakeholders, with discussions centering on cultural sensitivity in movie productions.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
