Malayalam movie-producers paid me less as I'm "black": Nigerian actor
What's the story
A Nigerian actor, who played a prominent character in a recently released Malayalam movie, has accused its producers of "racial discrimination" as they allegedly paid him less compared to his Indian co-stars. Samuel Abiola Robinson, who played the role of a footballer in the movie "Sudani from Nigeria", alleged in a Facebook post that he was paid less as he was "black". Here's more.
Details
Can't allow discrimination to happen to another young black-actor: Robinson
Directed by debutant Zakaria Mohammed, the movie, revolving around a football club in Malappuram district of the state, has won the hearts of the masses and is running to packed houses. Robinson, who returned to his country recently after taking part in the celebration of the film's success, said he doesn't want to allow the discrimination to happen to another "helpless young black actor."
Facebook post
"Was a victim of racial discrimination while in Kerala"
"I believe that I was a victim of racial discrimination while in Kerala," Robinson said in the Facebook post. "It was nothing violent or directly in my face but for my role in 'Sudani from Nigeria', the producers offered me far less money than Indian actors who are not half as popular or accomplished as I am would normally earn," the actor said.
Kerala public
No racist treatment from people of Kerala, says Robinson
However, in another Facebook post, the young Nigerian actor made it clear that he did not experience any "racist treatment" from the public in Kerala. "I do not think that Kerala people are racist as I experienced no such racist treatment from the general Kerala public. I very much enjoyed my stay in Kerala, the culture, the Biryani and all," the actor said.
Discrimination
Director Zakaria did his best to help Robinson
Robinson came to know about the "discrimination" after meeting young actors and discussing payment with them. "I am of the opinion that this happened purely because of my skin color and...assumption that all Africans are poor and don't know the value of money," he said. However, he said Zakariya did his best to help him but he was not financing the movie himself.
Information
Promises were mere tools of manipulation
"I believe the promises (by the producers) were simply tools of Manipulation to get me to eagerly commit the 5 months of availability for work being October, November, December 2017, January and March 2018 for the shoot and promotion of the movie," Robinson said.
Black actors
Robinson wants to ease suffering of next-generation of black actors
Even the least experienced Indian newcomer in the Malayalam film industry would be paid considerably more than what he had received, the actor claimed. Urging people to say no to racial or caste discrimination, Robinson said that as he was "black", it was his responsibility to speak up to "ease the suffering of the next generation of black actors."
The actor
Robinson was part of Disney's Desperate Housewives Africa
Robinson played the role of a football player who becomes part of a local soccer club in Kerala's Malappuram in the film that released on March 23. Sudani from Nigeria's producers, Sameer Thahir and Shyju Khalid, are yet to react to the allegations. Robinson, who began his career as an actor in 2013, appeared in several African productions, including Walt Disney's "Desperate Housewives Africa".