A few days back, a video of a young man, Akinmolayan Habeeb, popularly known as King Patto, went viral on social media as he was seen barking and vomiting blood. The video, which many people believed to be another tale of an online fraudster who was said to have gone diabolical to enhance his trade turned out to be a movie scene that was played by the actor. He shares the story behind the viral video and why people have refused to believe it was not real.
You have been trending on the social media for days now over a purported video where you were seen to be barking and vomiting blood. Some people have been saying it was a movie scene while many people believe it was another case of Yahoo Plus. Could you explain what happened in the video?
I am still very surprised and shocked at the way people are always quick to jump on the band wagon effect and believe everything they are told or see on the social media. It all started at a movie scene. I am an actor and I was giving a Yahoo Boy role to act. The Yahoo boy in the movie graduated from Yahoo to Yahoo plus. I think I played the role very well that those who were at the scene got excited about it and decided to video that particular scene with their phones. After the shoot, they sent the video to me and I was quite happy about the project and what the people should expect. In the spirit of that, I posted the scene the short video on my Instagram page and in less than one hour, the video had gone viral on the social media. I got confused at a point because of the number of calls I was receiving from everywhere, particularly from those who know me and those who don’t even know who I am. I got worried that I started reaching out to people so that they can explain the motive of the video but I could not control it because people had already made up their minds and were not ready to listen to the real story.
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How long have you been an actor?
I have been acting since 2012 but I was living in Ghana then. I actually started acting in Ghanaian movies but I had to quit due certain personal reasons. I travelled abroad for a while and returned to Nigeria in 2016. Since I returned to Nigeria, I have been acting in Nigerian movies till today.
Why did you think you were considered for that role by the producer of the movie?
Well, I think that has to do with my looks and hairstyle. Those things must have attracted the producer.
So, you have never been a Yahoo Boy?
No, I have never been a Yahoo Boy.
But you played the role like one; don’t you think that could raise some suspicion?
I never expect it to raise negative suspicion because this is my job and I am proud to always give my best to any role I am comfortable with. When I saw the script, it talked about a Yahoo Boy who bite his girlfriend and later barked to death. I had my reservation at first but this my profession and I am so passionate about it. I told myself I could do it and I did it to the best of my ability. I never knew it would go viral. I was just doing what I love doing.
How bothered have you been about how this has turned out?
I have not been bothered because this is all about acting and people would soon see the movie when it is out. So, that will put the issues to a rest and it would be over. When we shoot a movie, we try to make it real. That’s why they call it make-believe but often times people get carried away and attach too much emotions to what they see or hear without actually looking at the message and what we intend to let them understand.
Did you not try to convince the producer or director about any part of the script you didn’t like?
At first, I complained about the role where I have to bark; I didn’t want it at all. But the script writer said that was what the story was about, so I had no choice but to oblige. It is my job and I am glad to be doing what I love best.
So you never wanted the barking role?
Yes, I felt it was not quite good for me but the director told me it must be done that way. You know the barking was the last stage of the script. First, I had to bite the lady and then other things followed before we arrived at the last scene where one must bark to death.
How challenging was that role for you?
It was about the moist challenging job I have ever done as a professional actor. I have had a series of roles but none comes close to what I encountered on the scene of the new movie.
The moment you heard the video had gone viral, what was the first thing that came to your mind?
I was shocked. In fact to use the word shock is an understatement. You know how people can be so funny on social media platforms. The deluge of messages I got could not even let me rest. My Instagram account was literally on fire for hours. Many people even rained curses on me because they thought it was real. Many people believe that anything they see on social media is real. There nothing you can tell them at that time that matters to them. I tried to explain to a lot of people that It was a scene from a new movie, but it fell on deaf ears. I was surprised that people were not even listening to me. At a point, I began to feel like I was not the one in the movie. I started asking myself different questions. I had to stop picking calls and I didn’t reply messages on Instagram. It got bad that people had been tagging me with Rest in Peace (RIP). The biggest shock of my life happened to me at the Ikeja Mall and people who saw me there started calling me the Yahoo Plus guy. Some even said I thought he was dead and all sorts of things that I can tell you now. It was very bad. People should rise above pettiness and sheer ignorance. Social media has made people dunce.
So how have you been coping with life since then?
You know it got bad to the extent that even my colleagues in the industry said it was true that I actually used the social media video to cover up. I can’t understand why they would conclude like that. It is even more disturbing that it was coming from those who should know well; those who should enlighten and educate others. I am grateful to God for giving a wonderful family, who has stood by me in these difficult moments. I couldn’t have pull through if they were not there to keep encouraging me. Gradually, I know that this would soon be forgotten.
Don’t you like how this has made you popular, I mean everybody now wants to meet you…
All my life, I have always wanted to be an actor, a very good one at that. I have dreamt of taking my craft to every part of the world where I would show them what I am capable of doing with the talent God has given me but never has it crossed my mind to trend on negativity. I am not a desperate man. I am not a man of inordinate ambition. As much as I want to be popular and remain in the faces of the people, it would never be at the expense of my peace of mind and happiness. What is the essence of success that you can’t enjoy with people? The journey has just begun and I am ready and willing to keep giving my best till the last minute. But I won’t rejoice in shady or questionable way of life. The blessing of God makes one rich without stress and sorrow.
Judging by how this has turned out, would you take such roles anytime soon?
My profession will remain my profession because I can’t lose my career because of the people and fans who don’t understand the job we do. If there’s any such role again that the producer wants me to take, I will take it because this is what I have passion for.
How much did the role fetch you?
I would rather not talk about that. Let us keep that out of the interview for now.
But was it worth the risk of putting your career on the line for?
The fact is that I don’t think about money when I am acting. The only thing that comes to my mind anytime I am on set is how to give my best. Money does not come first for me.
But you do this to put food on your table. You should be concerned about what you are paid. Don’t you think so?
Yes, you are right. I should be concerned about what I want to take and how much I am getting. But money is not the ultimate goal. I cherish this job so much and God has been good to me. So far, producers pay me well and I am comfortable.
How did your journey into the movies start?
In 2016, when I came back from Europe, a friend of mine, Azeez, who knew I had been an actor in Ghana, encouraged me to join Nollywood. In fact, he took me to a movie location in Ikorodu where I met with the production manager of a movie. They gave me a role and the manager was happy about how I played my role. From that day, he never stopped giving me jobs.
How many movies have you produced so far?
I have successfully produced five movie and I am working on a new project at the moment. I want my fans to keep waiting for something special from me.
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