Nollywood filmmaker and actress Ruth Kadiri has taken a firm stand against producers who impose unreasonable demands on actors, particularly regarding a film’s online performance. In a recent Instagram post, Kadiri criticized the growing trend of judging a film’s success solely by the number of views it garners on platforms like YouTube, calling the practice a reflection of producers’ own shortcomings.
The 36-year-old filmmaker accused some producers of lacking a proper understanding of how online platforms operate, urging actors to resist succumbing to these pressures and instead focus on their craft.
“Dear Nollywood actors!!! Take the pressure off your shoulders!!!” Kadiri wrote in her post. “Any producer who requires one million views from you in one day has failed! A good production requires more than your face. One million views is not a standard of success nor failure. So much y’all don’t know about YouTube. Don’t let their ignorance rob you of your joy.”
Kadiri, who launched her Nollywood career with the film Boys Cot, has over 50 films to her name. As a screenwriter, her credits include popular titles such as Matters Arising, Heart of a Fighter, Ladies Men, Sincerity, First Class, and Over the Edge.
Recently, Kadiri opened up about her decision to release her films on YouTube, citing excessive regulations within Nigeria’s film industry as a major factor. She explained that the platform gives her the creative freedom to tell her stories without external constraints.
