Veteran Nollywood actor Charles Inojie has criticised what he described as declining standards in the Nigerian movie industry, arguing that glamour and physical appearance are increasingly being prioritised over knowledge, talent and substance.
Inojie made the remarks during an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, where he reflected on the differences between the Nollywood of the past and the industry today.
According to the actor, the current industry has become dominated by what he described as “razzmatazz” and “cosmetic beauty,” with some aspiring actors allegedly gaining recognition without the training or knowledge needed to sustain a successful acting career.
“Too much razzmatazz. Too much cosmetic beauty,” Inojie said.
The veteran actor stressed that while passion remains important, it cannot replace the knowledge and foundation required to excel as an actor.
“It went beyond passion. It’s okay to be passionate, but the substance that holds that passion together is what you know, the knowledge base that forms your foundation. That is what we lack today,” he said.
Inojie also criticised what he described as the rapid rise of individuals who become recognised as stars largely because of their physical appearance.
He said, “Any girl feels she’s pretty and in most cases is willing to expose some vital parts of her physiognomy, is a superstar the next day.”
The actor further questioned the role of the media in promoting entertainers, accusing some media platforms of giving people superstar status before they have demonstrated the ability to deliver quality performances.
“Sometimes you just hear, ‘Nollywood actress, Nollywood superstar.’ You go look am, ‘Ah, no be no be this same Nollywood we all, all of us gathered dey?’ You know, media just hype people beyond what they can deliver,” he added.
Inojie’s comments have sparked conversations about the changing standards of Nollywood, particularly the balance between commercial appeal, celebrity culture and the professional development of actors.
His remarks also highlight his view that building a sustainable acting career requires more than popularity or physical appeal, with proper knowledge and a strong professional foundation remaining essential to the craft.
