WestyBaba, known for taking on intricate characters, may have found his most demanding role yet as the chillingly charismatic Johnson in the upcoming Nollywood epic, "IREKE."
Described as both "dangerous" and "manipulative to the core," Johnson portrays a high-ranking official who perfectly embodies the seductive and corrosive nature of unchecked power. "He’s not just a villain, he’s a mirror," WestyBaba reflected. "People will love to hate him."
"IREKE," set for simultaneous release in London, Lagos, and Abeokuta on Friday, July 25, is already generating buzz for its daring exploration of ancient spirituality intersecting with contemporary corruption. The narrative revolves around a man who twists tradition and influence to fuel tyranny, until a powerful resistance begins to emerge.
"Johnson abuses power in ways that feel terrifyingly familiar in today’s world," WestyBaba stated. "He believes he’s justified, even righteous, in his control. That makes him more unsettling." Portraying such a dark character wasn't easy for the actor. "It shook me," he confessed, adding, "Roles like this stretch you as an actor—and as a man." Yet, alongside the emotional toll came moments of profound creative connection. WestyBaba highly praised his co-stars, particularly Tobi Bakre, whose performance he called "raw fire." The palpable chemistry and tension among the cast, which also includes Mofe Duncan, are set to electrify the screen.
The Lagos premiere holds significant personal meaning for WestyBaba. "Lagos is the heartbeat of Nollywood. The energy, the land, the history—it lives in each of us. This isn’t just a premiere; it’s a homecoming." With "IREKE," audiences can anticipate more than just high-stakes drama. Rooted deeply in Yoruba cosmology, the film offers a sharp critique of silence and complicity when faced with oppression.
"I hope people see that silence is complicity," WestyBaba emphasized. "That unchecked power always corrupts. And that truth, no matter how buried, always finds its way back."
Directed with visionary flair and set against a tapestry of love, loss, and uprising, "IREKE" is poised to leave a powerful mark, not only on Nollywood but across the global cinematic landscape.