Veteran filmmaker, Tunde Alabi-Hundeyin, has kicked against the title of a new Nollywood movie, “Badagry: I Bad I Gree,” saying it misrepresents and insults the heritage of one of Nigeria’s most historic towns.

The filmmaker’s reaction was shared on Friday by the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, via his verified X page.

In the lengthy post, Alabi-Hundeyin said, “Dead on arrival! My attention was drawn to the ugly title of the film below. At first, I thought it was a prank. Then I started seeing it as a sponsored promo. I can’t believe one creatively shallow producer will just sit somewhere and choose to malign the image and dignity of one of the most historically precious pieces of land on the continent of Africa. A serene land of peace which had spread its mat of welcome to people from all over the globe.”

He added that instead of heading to court or petitioning the authorities formally, he chose to directly call the Director-General of the National Film and Video Censors Board, Dr Shaibu Husseini.

“He immediately gave me a cheering news that a group of nine people from Badagry had submitted a petition on the film title to his office,” Alabi-Hundeyin said. “I didn’t ask who they were, but whoever they are, I am proud of them as protectors of Badagry’s image.”

He said the NFVCB DG immediately got in touch with the producers, who claimed they gave the movie the title because it was shot in Badagry.

“What a very unprofessional excuse,” said Alabi-Hundeyin.

He also reminded the DG of a similar case in the past involving the misuse of the revered Eyo masquerade in a movie.

Alabi-Hundeyin praised the DG’s swift response, noting that the NFVCB has now cancelled the classification of the movie, which was scheduled for release on July 4.

He wrote, “He immediately took the decision that the classification, which must precede release, scheduled for tomorrow, 4th July, is cancelled.”

Alabi-Hundeyin stated that unless the producers change the title, the film cannot be released in Nigeria, insisting that the storyline had nothing to do with Badagry.

Highlighting the cultural contributions of Badagry, he said, “Pa Olatunji from Ajido is the first Nigerian to win the Grammy. My humble self is the youngest Nigerian to direct a film on Celluloid at age 30, 42 years ago.”

He stressed that filmmakers are welcome to shoot in Badagry but must respect the town’s legacy and not distort its image for commercial gain.