Why I Play the Bad Boy Role- Kelvin Ikeduba

Nollywood actor, Kelvin Ikeduba, famous for playing “bad boy” roles has revealed that people appreciate him more when he plays such roles.

Speaking in an interview with The Nation, the 44-year-old movie star explained when asked why he loves to play bad roles, “That is the Nigerian factor for you. I don’t see it as being stereotyped.  There is this thing about the African or Nigerian audience, what they like about you is what they want to see.

“If Kelvin plays a doctor in a movie and do it over 100 per cent and play a bad boy role in a movie and do it like 40 per cent, people would still prefer the 40 per cent to the over 100 per cent because that is what they want to see Kelvin play.

“Playing a bad boy role doesn’t mean I have not played other roles. But I want to believe that they appreciate it more when I am coming from a bad character angle; which simply means that I am good at portraying that character but naturally I am not a bad person.”

Speaking on how he is being perceived by viewers, Kelvin Ikeduba stated that he has been slapped and insulted several times for playing bad roles.

READ ALSO: What Nollywood Needs- Tope Tedela

“I have had different experiences. I have been slapped. I have been called names and so on. I just believe it is a case of mistaken identity. Nigerians can be fanatical if they want to be. You hear such thing as, ‘why you go do that kind thing for that movie, you dey craze? God punish you.’ I don’t see it from the negative side but I see it as playing my role very well; and that is why I am getting such comments. Most times, when I get those negative remarks, I don’t feel bad about them.”

Born August 21, 1976 Ikeduba got his start in the movie industry with The Suitors (2000). He is predominantly known for his diversity in the Nigerian movie industry.