Veteran Yoruba comic actor Yomi King, popularly known as Opebe, has opened up about some of his early struggles in the movie industry and it’s not the kind of “acting” you’d expect!
In a recent chat on Behind The Fame Podcast, Opebe revealed that many of the beatings he received while filming weren’t scripted, they were real!
According to him, he faced actual blows on set, especially during one unforgettable scene with Yinka Quadri in the old Yoruba movie Eku Meji.
In his words:
“Those sufferings were beyond acting; they were real beatings. That’s what they call acting, you have to do it well and real for people to know it truly happened. Baba Suwe doesn’t mind. Anyone that knows him well knows he will beat you directly; ask the director.”
He went on to explain that the beating from Yinka Quadri wasn’t just “for the camera” — it was personal. Apparently, Opebe had earlier sided with Baba Suwe during a misunderstanding between the two actors, and Yinka didn’t take it lightly.
“When he replied me, it was a slap and a severe beating. I began to shout, ‘Cut! This isn’t a movie anymore.’ He laughed and said, ‘In your life, you won’t interfere in people’s fights again.’”
Lesson learned the hard way! 😅
Opebe said the experience taught him to never take sides in another person’s quarrel again.
