Nollywood movie producer, Arsenal Bruno was hit by an allegation of having carnal knowledge of an up and coming actress, Anthonia, popular called, Keshi Thomas in exchange of a movie role. According to the story, heaven was let lose when Mr. Bruno failed to fulfill his own side of the game and denied the actress the role she wanted to so much, and paid for. It was equally alleged that Mr Bruno abandons his artistes, especially up and coming artistes in hotels without footing the bills, while on set. However, the producer exclusively opened up to Julia Blaise Blog (JBB) in a brief interview, where he told his own side of the story. Read On !


JBB: Do you think it’s right for producers to demand sex in exchange for movie roles?

No, it’s wrong. No, it’s totally wrong.

JBB: But there were stories that you had carnal knowledge of an actress who you promised role, but failed to fulfill the promise?

It was a mere story meant to tarnish my image. It was more like a setup which i have overcome. I didn’t do anything of that nature.

JBB: You know the actress in person?

Yes, I know her.

JBB: So, what actually happened?

The girl in question by name Anthonia was introduced to me by a close friend of mine. She came to Enugu, when I was to produce a movie, I gave her a role which was eleven (11)scenes. On getting to camp the director Mr Ubong Bassey said the girl doesn’t fit the role that I should swap the role between her and some other girl, because I wanted the best for my job I did as my director said. I passed the information to the girl in question and she picked an offence and started shouting and saying maybe I slept with d other girl that was why I swapped d role bla bla bla. It became a big argument that she has read for the role now I want to change it, I told her I have to respect my director. Two hours later all I could see on the net was a scandal.

JBB: They equally said u humiliated an actress, Keshi Thomas who refused to give in for ur sex for role demand?

Point of correction, I never humiliated any actress neither did I invite Keshi Thomas for the set, she only came to Enugu to visit an actor on my set, and I met her as an old friend. She only asked for a role, I told her I have finished casting, that if anything comes up I will definitely give her a role. Unfortunately, nothing came up and she termed it that because I did not sleep with her. How many people will I sleep with if I am to sleep with up and coming actresses?

JBB: There's also an allegation that Prince Palace Hotel Enugu is where you use to sleep with up & coming actresses?

I have never slept at Prince Palace Hotel in my entire life to start with, I only shot some few scenes there and coincidentally it was same venue Anthonia case happened. So, I don’t know if it’s my ghost that sleeps with upcoming artistes there.
                                                                                   
JBB: So, what made her say such a thing against u?

Funny enough from all findings she wasn’t the one that posted it on the net, it was an enemy that was there that went to that to tarnish my image.

JBB: These days, we have equally heard that up and coming artistes are left to take care of their feeding and hotel bills while on set?

I have produced over 20 movies and I have never done that on my set. I don’t joke with the welfare of my artistes.

JBB: Who pays who in movie industry these days. Is it that up & coming artistes pay producers or producers pay them?

Well I have always heard that most up and coming actresses pay for roles in movies, but trust in PAAB Production, I can beat my chest and say that I and my partner have never collected money from anyone in the name of a role.

JBB: A lot of things have been said about you, including not being able to pay your artistes' hotel bills while on set. Is it true?

Nothing like that has ever happened.

JBB: Who really is Arsenal Bruno?

Arsenal Bruno is a movie producer from Udi lga in Enugu state. Born and brought up in Kaduna. I am a Co-CEO of PAAB PRODUCTION.

JBB: How did Nollywood start for you?

Well Nollywood wasn’t an easy start for me 11 years ago. I started from the scratch like every other filmmaker out there. I worked with Mike Ezuruonye for 5 years but in 2009, I took the bold step to shoot my first film Intimidation. I started as Road to Success Production until 2013, when I met my partner Ambassador Pat Attang and we teamed up to form PAAB PRODUCTION, and that has been it till now.

JBB: What's your blockbuster movie?

In Road to Success, I will say Intimidation and in PAABPRODUCTION, it will be Itoro the House Girl. Right now, we have 10 movies to our credit, I and my partner Amb. Pat Attang.