Nollywood filmmaker and producer Biodun Stephen has weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding kissing scenes in Nigerian movies, insisting that consent and not public opinion should remain the deciding factor.
In a recent video, Stephen responded to critics who accuse filmmakers of contributing to marital problems by requiring actors to perform intimate scenes. She maintained that protecting an actor’s marriage is not the responsibility of a producer.
According to her, actors and their spouses are fully aware of the demands of the profession before accepting roles. She explained that discussions about kissing and other intimate scenes take place before filming begins, allowing performers to decide whether they are comfortable participating.
READ ALSO: He that Finds a Good Wife Should Leave Other Women Alone- Reality Star, Tochi
Stephen noted that while some actors decline such scenes because of their personal or religious beliefs, filmmakers respect those decisions and adjust scripts or shooting plans where necessary. Others, however, have no objections and willingly perform the scenes as part of their job.
The producer stressed that her primary responsibility is to ensure actors work in a safe, professional, and respectful environment, rather than managing their personal relationships.
She also dismissed comparisons between Nollywood and Hollywood, arguing that the Nigerian film industry operates under tight production schedules that leave little room for actors to build off-screen chemistry.