Yoruba movie actor and director, Ibrahim Yekini popularly known as Itele d Icon, has spoken on the many challenges he faced in the Nollywood industry.

Itele told Sunday PUNCH that prior to his first appearance on set, he had produced five movies.

The actor said although 40 per cent of people liked his work, it was however not the same in the industry.

According to him, he almost became distracted and discouraged but kept pushing as he was not going to let them get to him.

“After the release of my first movie, I can safely say that about 40 per cent of the audience liked my work and accepted me. But interestingly, the movie industry did not accept me and that almost got me distracted and discouraged. Nobody called me for jobs. I produced over five movies before I was offered my first movie role. However, I refused to give up. I just kept pushing out my work. As a matter of fact, my nickname ‘Itele’ was the title of the first movie I produced. I started out as a movie producer and I was also acting in my films.”

When asked about some of the challenges he has encountered on the job, he said he has had to work as a bricklayer for three months just to make money to replace a piece of equipment that got damaged while he was filming.

“The first movie I produced was successful but it came with a price. During the production, a very expensive piece of equipment got damaged and I could not afford it. I cried to God for help the night of the incident and I asked Him if I would succeed in the movie industry. I had to work as a bricklayer for three months to get money to replace the equipment. It was a very tough one for me because it was my first project. It was certainly a big challenge for me”.