Yoruba actor Shola “Lagata” Akintunde says the criminal roles that made him famous are now costing him money.
In an interview on Oyinmomo, he admitted he has started turning down some of those parts because brands will not touch him.
“I’ve avoided some of those criminal roles because I noticed the roles are preventing me from getting endorsements from brands,” he said.
Then he dropped the line that has fans talking.
“A man once told me that if Nigeria legalised guns, I would have been used to promote it, and I was confused. So it’s depriving me of so many things.”
Akintunde said the public does not separate the actor from the character.
“People who play these criminal roles are seen as irresponsible people. So I’ve considered those things and avoided some criminal roles and started diversifying to other gentle roles.”
He insisted he never planned this path. His first scene was as a thug. Sola Aderounmu and his boss liked what they saw and pushed him further.
“They said it’s befitting for me because of my height and my strong face.”
His boss later took him to extra rehearsals to sharpen those same roles. Veteran actor Dele Odule also praised him after they worked together.
“Odule called me and encouraged me.”
That encouragement built a career. It also boxed him in. Now Lagata is trying to step out of the box before the next brand deal walks past him for good.