Acclaimed actor Chimezie Imo recently opened up about his reputation in Nigeria's film industry and the double-edged sword of being outspoken on set.

In a candid interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, the "Breath of Life" star revealed his surprise when colleagues speak highly of him, believing many view him as difficult to work with.

"I always think people think I'm problematic, so when I hear people say good things about me, I'm surprised," Imo confessed.

The actor shared how his career has been shaped by this perception, recalling an incident where a director for the popular series "Shuga" insisted on his inclusion in the cast. "One of the directors had seen the cast and saw that I wasn't in it, and she said she wasn't going to direct if I wasn't in it. I remember showing up on set and everyone was surprised," he said.

Imo attributes potential friction to his advocacy for equitable treatment on set. "I'm very vocal... I fight for people, and I think I need to stop that because it has put me into trouble," he admitted. "When I see someone being disrespected, I don't know how to let it go."

This principled stance extends to challenging hierarchy and privilege. "If I'm a lead and a sub-lead is eating less than me, I'm asking why," he explained.

The actor acknowledged this approach has affected his standing with some industry figures. "I know it's none of my business... it has backfired a lot of times. I'm not the producer's favorite, but I'm the director's favorite."

Despite these challenges, Imo continues to build an impressive body of work in Nollywood's expanding film industry.