The Jadesola Osiberu and Kayode Kasum’s ” Sugar Rush ” movie has been temporarily banned by The Nigerian Movie Regulatory Board, National Film, and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) in a move that tantamount to Censoring the Nigerian Creative. ” Sugar Rush ” is one of the most-watched movies in Detty December season with over N150M in Nigeria’s box office within two weeks of it released across all cinema in the country.
According to information on the official Facebook Page of NFVCB, released that the temporary approval given for the movie exhibition has expired.
“It has come to our notice that #BringBackSugarRush is currently gaining momentum on Twitter with many speculating a ban on the movie ‘Sugar Rush’ and presuming the supposed action as a sign of government’s intention to stifle creativity,” it said.
“The movie has not just significantly increased box office revenues within a short period but has improved our cinematic culture which is sine qua non for attracting the investment we so much desire as a nation.”
Adedayo Thomas, the board’s executive director, took responsibility for delaying the final approval of the movie.
“I, however, take responsibility for the gap in communication and the delay in granting final approval as the temporary approval given for the movie exhibition expired before we could release an official statement due to my preoccupation with extant responsibilities and a backlog of movies requiring approval as a result of the December rush.
“I am currently working with the distributor, producer, director and key actors to grant final approval for the resumed exhibition at cinemas.”
But what really happened, because audiences were loving it, the cinemas were smiling to the bank, and it was winning the box office battle. However, the filmmaker has revealed that they are trying all their possible best to resolve the issue with NFVCB.
The movie which stars some of Nigeria’s finest actors and actresses such asBimbo Ademoye, Bisola Aiyeola, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Tobi Bakre, Omoni Oboli, Williams Uchemba, and others is said to have been temporarily suspended due to a peculiar reason.
Since the release of the movie, it became the biggest advanced screening Nollywood film in 2019 and also the 2nd biggest advanced screening for any film released in 2019.
1.Thank you all SO MUCH for the support that our film “Sugar Rush” has received. Unfortunately, due to issues that are way beyond our control, Sugar Rush has been suspended from playing in Cinemas.
We’re hoping the issues will be resolved quickly, so we can resume screening ASAP— Banky Wellington (@BankyW) January 11, 2020
3. We’re optimistic that it will be allowed to go back on your screens in the next few days by God’s Grace. Pls stay positive and hopeful with us! We have put so much into this film..Your love and support is helping!!! We promise to keep you updated.#BringSugarRushMovieBack
— Banky Wellington (@BankyW) January 11, 2020
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But information reaching us at GYOnlineNG.COM revealed that one of the governmental agencies speculated to be EFFC was portrayed in the film pulled its weight to have the film yanked because they were not too excited about how they were depicted in the movie.
Efcc acting somehow in 2020 already. Are they the ones that pulled sugar rush?
— Foza Billions (@fozadoza) January 11, 2020
They were the only govt agency portrayed in the movie and they said a govt agency pulled I Tb down coz they didn’t like how they were portrayed
— Foza Billions (@fozadoza) January 11, 2020