Popular Nollywood star Uzor Arukwe has broken his silence following backlash over his portrayal of Odogwu Obiora in Omoni Oboli’s latest movie, ‘Love In Every Word.’
Arukwe, who embodied the character of a wealthy Igbo man showering his partner, Chioma (played by Bambam), with luxury, has found himself at the center of a heated debate. While many, especially women, have praised the film as a refreshing take on love and generosity in relationships, some male viewers argue that it paints Igbo men as “simps.”
One X user, Himp2million, stirred the conversation by insisting that the film misrepresented Igbo men.
He wrote: “Anambra men are not simps. Your movie is liked only by ladies who have always had the illusion of an odogwu that’ll spend his last dime on them.”
Unfazed, Arukwe hit back with a firm response, challenging the narrative that generosity equates to weakness.
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He wrote: “Taking care of your woman and spending money on her doesn’t make you a simp. It only makes you a responsible man. How else do you show love to your partner if you can’t take care of their needs from the abundance of your wealth?”
This isn’t the first time Arukwe has faced scrutiny over his acting choices.
Recall that In 2023, critics accused him of exaggerating his Igbo accent in Funke Akindele’s blockbuster, ‘A Tribe Called Judah.’
However, with his latest role, the conversation has shifted from dialects to depictions of masculinity proving once again that in Nollywood, even love can be a controversial affair.