Entertainment
Kalu Ikeagwu Vows to Reject Films his Mother Can’t Watch
Kalu Ikeagwu says he will never act in films his mother can’t watch, stressing that message and values matter more than money or fame
Kalu Ikeagwu has revealed that his late father’s discipline and his mother’s influence continue to shape his career decisions, adding that he would never appear in a movie his mother cannot comfortably watch.
Also read: Segun Arinze Laments Loss of Originality in Nollywood
In a recent interview, the seasoned Nollywood actor explained that he chooses scripts based on their moral message rather than financial incentives or star power.
According to him, every film should inform, educate, and entertain while maintaining integrity and cultural values.
He recalled a humorous yet defining moment when he once watched one of his movies with his mother and brothers a scene with a kiss caught him off guard, making him deeply uncomfortable.
“I completely forgot that scene was in the movie,” he said. “As it started, I just began sweating and retreating. My brothers were laughing, and I thought, I’m not a small boy anymore; why am I so nervous? That was the day I decided I’d never appear in a film my mother can’t watch.”
The actor emphasised that the lessons from his upbringing have never left him. “My dad is late, but my mum remains a major inspiration,” he added. “No matter how big the budget, if the message isn’t right, I’ll turn it down.”
**On breaking away from his calm persona**
While Ikeagwu is best known for his calm and family-friendly roles, he said he enjoys the challenge of playing complex or darker characters.
He pointed to his role in Cheta’M, where he played three characters possessed by different spirits. “It was fun,” he said. “I like playing bad guys sometimes. It was outside my scope and very energetic, which made it exciting.”
**How his global upbringing shaped him**
The British-born, Zambian-raised actor revealed that growing up in different countries broadened his worldview but never separated him from his roots.
“My dad banned English in our house,” he said. “He made sure we spoke Igbo at home. That grounding made me both a village man and a cosmopolitan one. It helps me adapt to any role.”
He added that if he hadn’t pursued acting, he would have become a teacher like his father or a writer, noting that storytelling is his passion.
**On Nollywood’s evolution**
Reflecting on the growth of Nollywood, Ikeagwu credited the industry’s global success to self-confidence and authenticity.
“My favourite Nigerian movies are from the ’90s and early 2000s because they told our stories genuinely,” he said.
“Those stories connected Africans everywhere they made black people abroad feel they hadn’t lost their culture.”
However, he lamented that modern productions sometimes prioritise visual quality over storytelling. “There’s a resurgence of authentic African stories now, just like our music,” he added. “We’re beginning to tell our stories again, for us and by us.”
**On dancing to promote films**
Known for his calm and intellectual persona, Ikeagwu confessed that he’s a *terrible dancer* but would still dance if it helps promote his film.
“I once danced because Mary Lazarus made me,” he laughed. “I can’t dance to save my life. But if it’s my film, I’ll dance — terribly but proudly.”
He added that Nigerians’ ability to celebrate themselves is part of what keeps the country’s spirit alive. “We’re like the Agama lizard,” he said. “If no one praises us, we’ll praise ourselves. If dancing promotes our films, so be it.”
**A man of principle and purpose**
For Kalu Ikeagwu, acting is not just a craft but a reflection of values. His calm demeanour, combined with deep moral conviction, continues to distinguish him in the evolving landscape of Nollywood.
Also read: Diva Gold Nollywood Actress Speaks on Love, Career
With a career spanning decades, his message remains consistent storytelling should uplift, not embarrass, the family or the culture it represents.
Nollywood actress Lizzy Anjorin has questioned the authenticity of an interim order issued by the Lagos State High Court on 2 September 2026, restraining her from publishing photographs of Priscilla Ojo’s one-year-old son, Rakeem Mkambala, and from posting editorials concerning the family on specified social media platforms.
Anjorin raised the issue during an Instagram Live session on Friday, 4 September, after Priscilla shared a copy of the court order online.
The actress argued that publicising court documents before formally serving the respondent undermines the case.
“Your case na dead on arrival. If you post court letter on any platform before serving person wey you wan go serve, that court case na fake court case,” Anjorin said during the live session.
Her comments came shortly after the High Court of Lagos State granted an ex parte application brought by Priscilla, her husband, Tanzanian singer Juma Mussa Mkambala, and their son, Rakeem.
Justice Yetunde Adesanya issued the interim order in Suit No. LD/ADR/6646/2026.
The order restrains Anjorin, as well as people acting under her authority, from publishing, posting, circulating, uploading or broadcasting photographs of Rakeem on specified social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp and TikTok.
The court also directed Anjorin to cease publishing or broadcasting editorials concerning the applicants on the platforms covered by the order.
An ex parte order is made at an interim stage without the respondent being heard. The order is therefore not a final determination of the dispute and remains subject to further proceedings.
Priscilla shared the certified copy of the order on her Instagram Story on Friday, bringing the legal development into public view.
Anjorin’s reaction centres on the timing and manner in which the court documents were publicised. Her assertion that such publication makes a case “fake” is her own claim and is not a finding contained in the court order.
The development marks another chapter in the prolonged public dispute between Anjorin and Priscilla’s family, particularly Priscilla’s mother, actress Iyabo Ojo.
The disagreement has played out largely on social media and has previously resulted in legal action, including a ₦1 billion defamation suit filed by Iyabo Ojo against Anjorin.
In recent weeks, the dispute has also drawn Priscilla and her young son into the controversy, following public comments by Anjorin concerning the family.
Kesiena Tony Adjekpovu, popularly known as Kess, has said that participating in Big Brother Naija can make life harder, offering a candid reflection on the challenges that may come with the reality television experience.
The former Big Brother Naija housemate made the comment in a statement shared on social media, where he suggested that winning or simply taking part in the reality show does not necessarily make life easier after leaving the house.
“Big Brother makes your life harder,” Kess said.
The remark has drawn attention because life after reality television can bring a different set of expectations, particularly as former housemates adjust to increased public attention and the pressure that can accompany visibility.
Kess was a housemate on the seventh season of Big Brother Naija, which aired in 2022. He entered the show as a businessman and was among the contestants who competed for the season’s grand prize.
His time on the programme also placed him in the public eye, giving viewers an opportunity to follow his personality and relationships inside the house.
Kess’s latest comment offers a more reflective view of the reality TV platform, suggesting that the experience does not end when a contestant leaves the house.
However, he did not provide further details in the available post explaining which specific aspects of life after Big Brother he was referring to.
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