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Nollywood actor IK Ogbonna has publicly questioned the timing of the Christian Association of Nigeria’s (CAN) criticism of Ini Edo’s latest movie, A Very Dirty Christmas, following the backlash over its title.
The controversy erupted after CAN expressed disapproval of the movie’s title, describing it as inappropriate and offensive to Christian values, especially given the significance of the Christmas season.
The film, which stars Ini Edo and several other Nollywood actors, has been showing in cinemas across the country and has reportedly enjoyed strong audience turnout since its release.
Reacting to the development, IK Ogbonna took to his Instagram page to express disappointment with CAN, stating that the association had ample opportunity to raise concerns long before the movie’s release.
According to the actor, promotional materials for A Very Dirty Christmas had been in circulation for several months without any objection from the Christian body.
Ogbonna pointed out that the movie title had gone through the appropriate regulatory process and received official approval from the National Film and Video Censors Board before its release. He noted that the filmmakers proceeded in good faith, believing all necessary requirements had been met.
In his statement, the actor questioned why CAN chose to remain silent during the promotional phase, only to speak up after the film had been released nationwide and begun performing well commercially.
He described the timing of the criticism as unfair and inconsistent, suggesting that it raises concerns about integrity.
“TBH! I am deeply disappointed with CAN. You saw the promotions for this title for months and said nothing. The movie title was officially approved by the Censors Board, and we moved forward in good faith,” Ogbonna wrote.
He further expressed concern over what he described as selective outrage, asking whether it was right to wait until progress had been made before raising objections.
According to him, the issue should not be framed as a confrontation between religion and entertainment but rather as a matter of fairness and principle.
“Now that the film is out, showing nationwide and doing well, suddenly there’s an issue with the title. How Christian is it to stay silent all along, then speak only when progress has been made? This isn’t about conflict – it’s about fairness, consistency, and integrity,” he added.
The actor’s remarks have since sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some users supporting his stance and others siding with CAN’s concerns about the movie title.
While some fans argue that creative expression should be respected once regulatory approval has been granted, others believe religious bodies have a right to speak up whenever they feel cultural or moral boundaries are crossed.
Ini Edo, who is yet to issue a direct response to CAN’s criticism, has continued promoting the movie across her social media platforms.
A Very Dirty Christmas remains in cinemas nationwide as the debate surrounding its title continues to trend online.
The development adds to ongoing conversations about censorship, creative freedom, and the role of religious institutions in Nigeria’s entertainment industry, particularly during culturally sensitive seasons such as Christmas.
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