NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that Veteran Yoruba comic actor Yomi King, popularly known as Opebe, has opened up about a disturbing incident where he was allegedly beaten on a movie set for siding with his late colleague, Baba Suwe, during a long-running feud in the Yoruba film industry.
In a recent interview on Behind the Fame, Opebe recounted that the attack happened while filming the movie Eku Meji, when what was supposed to be a scripted fight turned into a real assault.
He revealed that tensions arose after a disagreement between Baba Suwe and actor Yinka Quadri, and his decision to support Baba Suwe cost him dearly.
“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,” Opebe said.
The actor recounted that during the filming of Eku Meji, the script required Yinka Quadri to beat him — but the scene quickly turned violent as the blows became real.
“When we got to the set, it was supposed to be a normal beating scene. But when he responded, it turned into real slaps and serious beating. I started shouting, ‘Cut! This isn’t a movie anymore.’ I was really angry,” Opebe said.
Opebe, who began his acting career in 1979 and rose to fame through the TV series Erinkeke, is best known for his comic roles and his long-standing friendship with the late Baba Suwe, with whom he shared many memorable on-screen performances.