By Efe Onodjae

Award-winning veteran actor and filmmaker, Wale Ojo,premiered his latest feature film, “This is not a Nollywood Movie”, an action-packed comedy written and directed by him and produced by reality-TV star Boma Akpore, promising what he describes as “a landmark moment” for the Nigerian movie industry.

The film follows the story of Okechukwu, a man determined to reclaim his life and career after a major setback, delivering a narrative woven around resilience, hope and the indomitable Nigerian spirit.

Featuring a strong blend of veteran stars and emerging talents, the movie parades Bimbo Akintola, Julius Agwu, Hanks Anuku, Shatta Bandle, Broda Shaggi, and others, an ensemble Ojo says represents Nigeria’s cultural richness and creative diversity.

Speaking at the premiere night in Lagos, Ojo hinted that the project aims to challenge long-standing boundaries in the Nigerian film space.

“Today’s event is going to be a landmark. I’m hoping very much in the scale of Nigerian movies. This is not a Nollywood movie; it’s something I devised, and I hope audiences love it. It’s full of laughter, full of action, and I just want people to come into the theatre and have a good time,” he said.

When asked what inspired the unusual direction of the film, he teased that viewers should prepare for unfamiliar experiences.

“There’s going to be a lot of unexpected in this film, things you’ve never seen in any other Nigerian film. I hope it upscales and raises the level we have now in Nollywood.”

Despite the ambition of the production, Ojo insists that the filmmaking process was smooth.

“There wasn’t really much of a challenge. It was fun. I gathered a very good cast and I’m excited. I want people to enjoy it and criticise it, and see if they love it.”

On casting choices, Ojo revealed that some industry figures discouraged him from working with veteran actor Hanks Anuku, but he remained convinced Anuku was the perfect fit.

“A lot of people told me not to work with Hanks Anuku. But the character was very much him. I flew to Abuja with my producer, Boma Akpore, and we met him. He was so professional. On set, he was probably one of the most professional actors.”

Ojo also stressed that the film champions a nationalistic message.

“The message in this film is that we should hold on to our own, strongly and positively. We are in difficult times, and as artists we are the cultural leaders and conscience warriors of the nation. Movies are a great way to export the image of your country.”

Although he declined to reveal the exact budget, he described the project as “very expensive,” adding that even the promotional work has been financially demanding.

The filmmaker confirmed that after its theatrical run, the film will head to streaming platforms, with hopes of landing on Amazon Prime Video.

When asked if audiences should expect a different version of Wale Ojo on screen, the actor described the role as a playful unveiling of another side of him.

“Sometimes you see the serious, professional Wale Ojo. This time, you will see the child in me, the side that loves cinema and loves making people laugh. I like to be a chameleon. I hope you see all of that in this film.”

Ojo noted that while the cast is predominantly Nigerian, it is not exclusive, with about 90 percent of its lineup from Nigeria.