Nollywood actress Bimbo Akintoka has said until actors start getting what is really due to them, such as royalties, the Nigerian movie industry cannot be robust.

She noted that this would help actors to start living better than the hand to mouth lifestyle common in the industry.

In an interview with Punch, Akintola said

“in Nigeria, when you shoot a film, you only get whatever fee is paid; you don’t get royalties from subsequent monies that the movie makes.

“If we truly want positive and meaningful change, the industry has to be properly regulated. The truth is that people are living from hand to mouth. Lagos is not an inexpensive place to live.

“By the time you deduct your rent, children’s school fees and other expenses, you would realise that the money you are making is nothing.”

The actress added that it was the reason why everybody is becoming producers; saying that shouldn’t be so.

“You cannot just say you are a producer without following the laid down procedures but there are no enabling laws.”

Debunking claims that she is a snub, Akintola said,

“The problem is that many people judge you without knowing you. If you do your findings, you would realise that the people that accuse me of being a snub have never even met me.

“Rather, they rely on hearsay or just form their opinions. You also should not judge me based on certain roles you’ve seen me act. Whatever happens on screen ends on screen; it’s all make-believe. I am always original and I don’t try to be what I’m not. At this stage of my life, I don’t live my life to impress anybody; and I have never done that anyway.”