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Veteran Nollywood actor Hanks Anuku has made a much-anticipated return to the big screen in Wale Ojo’s latest directorial effort, This Is Not a Nollywood Movie.
The film marks a defining moment for Anuku, whose absence from the Nigerian movie scene for years left fans nostalgic for his unique charm and signature tough-guy persona.
Once hailed as one of Nollywood’s most magnetic screen figures, Anuku was known for his distinctive style—headscarves, sunglasses, and a voice that carried both menace and charisma. His sudden disappearance left many wondering what went wrong.
Now, in a comeback that feels both poetic and purposeful, he steps back into the limelight in a project that challenges the very boundaries of Nigerian cinema.
Written and directed by Wale Ojo, the movie tells the story of Okechukwu Nwadibe, a washed-up filmmaker from Nnewi, portrayed by Ojo himself, who dreams of winning an Oscar. Believing this dream to be a sign, he sets out on a chaotic journey to reignite his career.
Alongside his loyal friend, Pius Godloves You, he ventures into Lagos to chase fame again, but a series of poor decisions and a dangerous loan from a gangster send his life spiraling out of control.
The star-studded cast includes Bimbo Akintola, Julius Agwu, Olumide Oworu, Broda Shaggi, and Hanks Anuku. Speaking about his return, Anuku revealed that his long break was necessary for personal growth. “I had a lot of friction, not just from the inside but from the outside,” he said.
“I needed that break to rejuvenate my spirit and meet other people like me on the other side of the world to get better.”
His reflections reveal a man transformed—grounded and thoughtful, no longer chasing the chaos that once defined his screen image.
He credits Wale Ojo’s creative depth and cross-cultural perspective as key reasons he joined the project. “If a Nigerian can be abroad, we can bring abroad to Nigeria.
That means this is not a Nollywood movie,” he explained, subtly echoing the film’s title and its mission to reimagine storytelling in African cinema.
For Anuku, This Is Not a Nollywood Movie represents a full-circle moment—an evolution from the high-octane characters that made him a household name to a performance steeped in maturity and purpose.
When asked what audiences should expect, he simply said, “Expect the way it is, but this time around, better than yesterday.”
That humility underscores a deeper narrative of rebirth. After years of speculation, rumours, and nostalgia surrounding his career, Hanks Anuku returns not with excuses but with artistry. His reemergence reminds audiences of where Nollywood came from and hints at where it’s headed.
In This Is Not a Nollywood Movie, Anuku’s familiar presence and lived experience breathe authenticity into a film that dares to question conventions.
The title may claim it’s “not a Nollywood movie,” but for fans, Hanks Anuku’s comeback is a celebration of everything that made Nollywood unforgettable.
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