Popular Nigerian producer Lancelot Imasuen calls Emeka Ike, Omotola and Genevieve to return to Nollywood

Veteran filmmaker Lancelot Imasuen is indeed a legend in movie production in Africa after spending an astonishing 30 years in Nollywood.

The 53-year-old Benin City-born has been in the industry as a director and producer since 1995 and has received praises from the old and the new stars in Nollywood for his contributions on his 30th anniversary.

The Last Burial and Issakaba producer has called out top Nollywood stars like Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Genevieve Nnaji, Jim Iyke, and Emeka Ike for ‘turning their backs on the industry that made them so famous and rich.’

Celebrating his 30th year in the Nollywood industry, he wisecracked the supposed division between “old” and “new” Nollywood stars and questioned why most of the crème de la crème of Nollywood have abandoned the industry.

In an interview with Vanguard, he said;

“As of 30 years ago, there were nothing like big stars. Everybody evolved. Those who chose to be behind the camera, like myself, as well as those who wanted to be in front of the camera.

“Nobody looked down on anybody. Everyone respected all that we were called to do with our talents. “But over time, we have seen Nollywood, which birthed great names, being bastardised, abandoned and ignored even by those who were nobody then.

“That’s the crux of this parley. Where are the people that Nollywood birthed? Some of them have become bigger than the industry that made them.

“I am calling out the Omotolas, the Genevieve’s, the Emeka Ikes and the Jim Iykes. I am also calling out all of them who benefited from Nollywood to come and give back to the industry.

Lancelot urged these Grade A stars who gained recognition across the continent through the Nollywood industry.

Lancelot wants to see the Nollywood industry still thriving and wants these superstars to return.

Lancelot has shot nearly 160 movies in 30 years, making him one of the famous personalities in Nollywood.

Some of Lancelot’s famous productions

*The Last Burial (2000)

*Issakaba (2001)

*Yahoo Millionaire (2007)

*Adesuwa (2012)

*Enakhe (2020)

*Games Men Play (2006)