After years in the shadows, Nollywood’s iconic villain returns with fresh energy, clarity, and purpose.
There was a time when Hanks Anuku ruled the villain lane in Nollywood; dark sunglasses, deep voice, magnetic menace. Then he slipped from view, leaving whispers, rumors and a void in the villain roster. Now he is back. His return lands via This Is Not a Nollywood Movie, a new project by Wale Ojo that bends industry rules.
The film follows Okechukwu Nwadibe, a washed up director who dreams he’s won an Oscar and chases his comeback in Lagos. Chaos, poor decisions, shady loans, twisted alliances — the plot whispers that ambition and ego are messy dance partners. Anuku joins a cast that includes Bimbo Akintola, Broda Shaggi, Julius Agwu and Olumide Oworu.
Speaking on his hiatus, Anuku says friction inside and outside the industry forced a break. He needed time to heal, recalibrate and see himself beyond the “bad guy” label. “I needed that break to rejuvenate my spirit,” he said in a recent interview.
When asked why this film, why now, he praised Wale Ojo’s vision and craft. He saw in This Is Not a Nollywood Movie a chance to stir the pot, challenge conventions and expand possibilities. The title itself is part manifest, part tease. “If a Nigerian can be abroad, we can bring abroad to Nigeria,” Anuku remarked.
Wondering what tone to expect? Anuku gave a simple invitation: “Expect the way it is but this time around, better than yesterday.”
Source: Nollywire
