Nollywood actor Ani Iyoho has claimed that he is well and unharmed after a video of him burning on a movie set went viral. According to him, the scene wasn’t a publicity stunt but a movie scene that went very well.
He posted a statement on Instagram saying:
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 cannot 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
The director of the movie, Stanlee Ohikhuare, has also come forward to make a statement about the perfectly executed scene.
Explaining why he did it during a press conference, Stanlee says he believes the stunt would cause a remarkable change in the attitude and perception of fellow Nigerians and the world at large, towards Nollywood’s potentials. He stated that he did it 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. He 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.
