Actress Kehinde Bankole has said that nudity and kissing in films are not always necessary to tell a compelling story.
The 39-year-old actress, known for her portrayal of Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, explained that any inclusion of nudity in a film must be thoughtfully and intelligently justified.
Kehinde voiced her opinion in a recent interview on the YouTube podcast Duke Rants, which gained traction on Tuesday.
She discussed various topics, including drug abuse, mental health, and the Nigerian entertainment industry.
During the interview, the host inquired about the boundaries of actress’ willingness to show nudity in film projects.
“The key word is intelligent. There are instances where you see nudity, but it’s not perceived as sensual because of the context,” she responded, citing a scene from 12yrs A Slave.
In the scene Kenyan-Mexican actress, Lupita Nyongo was tied naked to a tree and whipped.
Kehinde stated that in that scene you can’t be thinking anything sexual but pity for her.
The host persisted, asking how far Kehinde would go in terms of revealing her body for a role.
“As far as it is intelligently required, not just because it is required. Sometimes, you don’t need nudity, you don’t need excessive kissing, you don’t need all of that to tell a good story.
“For example, if a couple has been married for 10 years, you don’t need to start the scene by showing them in a sexual act,” she explained.
When asked if she could go nude in a film, Kehinde expressed discomfort with the question, noting that such answers are often misinterpreted.
“I don’t like that question because the answer would always be taken out of context. This is the internet, after all. I’ll just say that I can do what is artistically required,” she emphasised.
Kehinde Bankole first gained recognition as a Lux ambassador and made her acting debut in the family drama Super Story: Everything It Takes as Caro.
Since then, she has starred in numerous Nollywood productions, including Adire, Sister, and Funmilayo Ransome Kuti.
