Veteran Nollywood actor Hanks Anuku has become a trending topic on social media following the circulation of a recent video of him in Abuja.
The widely shared footage captured the actor in Wuse 2, Abuja, dressed in a black top, jeans, and sneakers. He was seated beside a roadside holding a disposable cup, and at several points appeared to be talking to himself.
The scene prompted concern among many social media users about his condition.
Following the video’s spread online, several Nigerians expressed concern, with some recalling earlier reports about the actor’s past challenges and questioning whether he might be experiencing another difficult phase.
Responding to the growing speculation, his manager, Moses Allen, dismissed the concerns, saying there was no reason for the public to be alarmed.
In an interview with Premium Times, Allen said Anuku’s distinctive personality and creative way of life are often misunderstood.
He explained that the veteran actor frequently becomes deeply absorbed in imaginative situations, something that can easily be misread by people who do not understand his artistic nature.
“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, adding that creative people often think differently from the average person.
He 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.”
Allen also emphasised that there was nothing out of the ordinary about Anuku quietly sitting by the roadside and speaking 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.”
He further insisted that, despite the impression created by viral social media videos, Anuku continues to be a responsible family man who remains devoted to his loved ones.
Allen said the actor is in excellent condition mentally and has never been better.
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.”
Allen concluded by urging those criticising the actor or questioning his health to speak with him personally before drawing conclusions.
