Samuel Abiola, the young Nigerian actor who plays the lead role in the Malayalam film Sudani from Nigeria, says he had experienced racial discrimination and was not paid what he was promised.
The 20-year-old made the disclosure on his Facebook page as he returned to his home country.
“Actually the truth is that I did experience racial discrimination from producers in Kerala... I didn’t want to say anything before because I was trying to be patient, but now I am ready to speak up.
“I’m saying this now because I cannot sit back and allow it happen to another helpless young black actor. I believe that I was a victim of racial discrimination while in Kerala. It was nothing violent or directly in my face but for my role in Sudani from Nigeria, the producers offered me far less money than Indian actors who are not half as popular, experienced or accomplished as I would normally earn,” writes Abiola.
Abiola in his film career has acted in more than a dozen films in several major productions in Africa such as Walt Disney’s Desperate Housewives Africa, M-Net’s Tinsel, and MTV Base’ Shugaand Raconteur Production’s 8 Bars And A Clef.
Sudani from Nigeria is directed by Zakariya Mohammad and produced by Sameer Thahir. Abiola stars alongside Soubin Shahir and tells the tale of a Nigerian football player who joins a football club in Malappuram.
The film will release in the UAE on Thursday, although it is already screening across India.
“I only became better enlightened after meeting with several young actors and discussing payment with them. I am of the opinion that this happened purely because of my skin colour and the assumption that all Africans are poor and don’t know the value of money.
“The director and writer Zakariya did his best to help but as he was not financing the movie himself, there was very little change he could foster. Zakariya is a good guy with a good heart and a brilliant director. Promises were made to me by the producers while shooting to pay me more if the movie eventually becomes successful but no promise has been honoured and now I am back in Nigeria,” he said.
“As I am black, it is my responsibility to speak up because it could ease the suffering of the next generation of black actors. Say no to racial or caste discrimination,” he added.
