Main PageAntar Laniyan: 'I would slap any actress who winks at me' - Actor
The filmmaker made no secret concerning his lack of interest in patronizing flirty actresses looking to quick career growth.
Antar Laniyan has a reputation for being highly professional when filming a movie, a reason why no actress has dared to flirt with him considering the possibility of getting a slap.
The veteran who has been involved in various monumental film projects which have helped propel a good image for Nollywood, favours actresses who have genuine capabilities over those looking to boost their career by sleeping with movie directors.
Discipline is of great importance to the actor and filmmaker. He stated this in interview with Punch News, adding that encouraging a romance with female actors should be avoided as it can cause a distraction which could possibly reduce the quality of a production.
“If you are disciplined and you don’t put romance with women first as an actor, you would go far. If you believe that as an actor, you don’t need women all around you, then you would remain relevant because you would concentrate on your craft.
"I directed ‘SuperStory’ for about 10 years but no woman entered my room in the camp. You can ask Wale Adenuga himself. There were amorous advances from women but I shunned them. I am feared while on set.
"As a lady, you cannot see me and have the courage to approach me with your amorous advances. People would even tell you not to try it with me; they would advise the ladies not to wink at me because I would just slap them.
"It is not that I am wicked but I want my cast and crew members to do what is expected of them. You don’t have to give me anything to gain what you do not deserve.
"Use your talent and let me acknowledge that you are good at your work. You don’t have to bribe me with your body," he said.
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The strictness he applies on movie sets does not extend to his home where his wife assumes the role of his greatest critic when she considers him not to have played a movie role satisfactorily, Punch News reports.
“My wife knows who I am to the extent that if I do not romance a woman properly in a play, she would ask me why I did not kiss her well. I have always had her support and that has given me the guts to go to any length in a romantic scene."
Sexual harassment in the movie industry
Laniyan's mentality towards work is a big encouragement for actresses who are not ready to bed a male director in an influential position for the purpose of excelling in their career.
The past months have seen reports of sexual harassment levelled against actors such as Yemi Solade and Yomi Fabiyi. Both actors have maintained innocence and have termed the accusations as a personal attack on their reputation.
The Harvey Weinstein scandal in particular rocked the entire movie making sphere is Hollywood. The former film executive was reported to have requested sexual gratification from actresses in return for helping them elevate their career.
Most of his advances were turned down and saw a bunch of notable actresses like Angelina Jolie, Lupita Nyogo'O reveal that they were one time victims of unsolicited sexual advances from the disgraced filmmaker.
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