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Veteran comic actor Yomi King, known widely as Opebe, has shared an astonishing account of how he was reportedly assaulted on a movie set for standing by his late colleague, Baba Suwe, during a long-standing dispute in the Yoruba film industry.
In a recent interview on Behind the Fame, Opebe disclosed that the incident took place while filming the movie Eku Meji, where a staged fight scene unexpectedly escalated into a real confrontation.
He explained that the conflict originated from a misunderstanding between Baba Suwe and fellow actor Yinka Quadri. Out of loyalty, he decided to support Baba Suwe—a decision that ultimately had negative consequences.
“The pain I experienced went beyond acting; those were genuine beatings. That’s what they refer to as acting; you must perform it convincingly for the audience to believe it truly occurred,” Opebe stated.
The actor recounted how, during the filming of Eku Meji, the script dictated that Yinka Quadri was to hit him, but the blows exceeded the boundaries of performance.
“When we arrived on set, and it was a scene involving a beating... when he retaliated, it was a slap followed by a harsh beating. I started shouting, ‘Cut! This isn’t a movie anymore.’ I was furious,” he added.
Opebe, who began his acting journey in 1979 and gained fame through the television series Erinkeke, is highly regarded for his comedic roles and his close friendship with the late Baba Suwe, with whom he enjoyed numerous on-screen collaborations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Opebe on the movie set?
Opebe was reportedly beaten during the filming of Eku Meji when a scripted fight scene turned into a real altercation.
Why did Opebe support Baba Suwe?
Opebe chose to support Baba Suwe out of loyalty during a feud between Baba Suwe and Yinka Quadri.
When did Opebe start his acting career?
Opebe began his acting career in 1979 and gained recognition through the TV series Erinkeke.
