Veteran movie marketer, Akeem Olatunji Balogun, popularly known as Olasco Films, has described Nollywood actors Wale Akoredu, popularly known as Okunnu, and Austin Emmanuel as ingrates following allegations made against him by the duo.
Balogun spoke during an interview with actor Tunde Ola-Yusuf while reacting to claims made by the actors in separate interviews.
Naija News reports that Okunnu had earlier called out the marketer over a movie produced for him about 16 years ago.
The actor accused Olasco of pocketing all proceeds from the project, declaring, “I haven’t forgiven Olasco.”
The development comes months after Austin Emmanuel alleged that Olasco Films and his associate, Toymax Films, blacklisted him from Nollywood.
Emmanuel, who has been away from the screen for years, also accused Toymax of having an affair with his girlfriend, Aisha Raji.
Reacting, Balogun dismissed the allegations and described both actors as ungrateful, insisting that he supported their careers at crucial stages.
While explaining that he gave Okunnu ₦2 million to produce the film at the time, he detailed his contributions to Austin Emmanuel’s rise in the industry.
“Okunnu is like a blind man using a walking stick, and when he regained his sight, he threw away the walking stick that was guiding him when he was blind. That’s who he is for him to say he worked for me without pay. Okunnu collected ₦2 million from me to produce the movie for me 16 years ago. As at that time, production only cost between ₦700,000 to ₦1 million.
“Austin Emmanuel wants to trend with my name. I assisted him to advertise the very movie that made him famous in my films, so he’s an ingrate,” he said.
