Hanks Anuku's manager, Moses Allen, has addressed growing concerns after a viral video showed the veteran Nollywood actor lying beside a road in Abuja, insisting that the actor is mentally sound and describing him as a deeply creative artist often misunderstood by the public.
The clarification came days after old videos of Anuku resurfaced online, reigniting conversations about his health and well-being. In the recent clip, the actor was seen in Wuse 2, Abuja, wearing a black top, jeans, and sneakers while sitting close to a roadside with a disposable cup in his hand. At different moments, he appeared to be speaking to himself, leaving many social media users concerned about his well-being.
Manager Says Actor Is in Good Mental State
Speaking in an interview with Premium Times, Allen explained that many people misunderstood Anuku because of his unique personality and artistic lifestyle. According to him, the veteran actor often immerses himself in imaginative situations that can easily be misinterpreted by those watching from a distance.
"So I understand you guys might have seen a video and then care to ask. It's better to ask than to start making presumptions," Allen said. He added that creative people often think differently from the average person.
Artistic Behavior Misinterpreted as Mental Illness
Allen stated: "Hanks is a character; he's an actor. Most of what he does is in a different world of his own. People mistake it for madness or craziness. No. An artist is actually never really normal because your presence is in a different creative realm."
He stressed that there was nothing unusual about the actor sitting quietly by the roadside while talking to himself. "What is wrong with someone sitting down by the grass and talking to himself while having a drink? Maybe he was rehearsing or imagining a scenario."
Manager Challenges Critics to Speak Directly with Anuku
Allen maintained that Anuku remains responsible and committed to his family despite the public perception created by viral clips. According to him, the actor has never been in a better mental state. He added: "I've been his manager for years. Kindly let the world know that the legend Hanks Chukwuemeka Anuku is sound and has, in fact, never been in a better mental state than now."
The manager also challenged critics to speak directly with the actor before making assumptions about his health.
Actress Adanma Luke Reacts to Anuku Video
In a related development, actress Adanma Luke joined other Nigerians to react to the viral video. Taking a jab at fellow actress Shan George, Adanma insisted that the actor was not okay and called on her colleagues to stop lying. The movie star's statement puzzled social media users as they contemplated who to believe.
