Biodun Stephen Addresses Criticism Over Kissing Scenes in Nollywood
Nollywood producer and actress Biodun Stephen has pushed back against claims that filmmakers are responsible for the breakdown of actors’ marriages due to on‑screen kissing scenes.
She argued that a producer’s role is to protect actors while filming and to present them respectfully to audiences, not to intervene in their personal relationships.
Stephen explained that some actors decline kissing scenes for personal reasons, while others have no objection. Directors adapt accordingly, but the ultimate responsibility for maintaining a marriage lies with the actor and their spouse.
“There’s this lady that always has a mouth for Nollywood. She said something about the kissing, Nollywood, and producers. And she said something about producers taking things easy on having actors kiss because we’re possibly ruining their marriages,” she remarked.
Stephen added that while she prefers to keep her films family‑friendly, she will embrace a kiss when the story demands it, because believable chemistry is essential for audiences to connect with the characters.
She emphasized that actors choose their profession knowingly, and spouses who accept that reality must also accept that intimate scenes may occur. “That responsibility is not my responsibility,” she stated.
In closing, Stephen reiterated that her job as a producer or director is to safeguard actors on set and present them authentically, not to police their marriages.
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