Actor Dedan Juma tired of playing criminal roles
By Rajab ZawadiActor Dedan Juma says after a decade of acting, he is tired of being cast as a criminal by Kenyan movie directors.
In a candid interview with Buzz Central Podcast, Juma vented his frustration at being repeatedly cast in gangster or robber roles. He claims that despite being a versatile performer, something he has been keen to showcase, Kenyan filmmakers continue to deny him the opportunity to showcase it.
Juma, who reprises gangster roles in Pepeta, airing on Showmax and Kash Money, streaming on Netflix, claims there is a lot of stereotyping by casting directors in the Kenyan acting industry.
Juma came into the limelight in 2012 with the breakout film Nairobi Half Life, in which he again played a criminal.
“When an actor convinces you that he or she can play a certain role, it means that he or she can play other roles as well. In international series, you see someone who played a gangster later give an amazing performance as a pastor. But in Kenya, we box talent and never give them a chance to explore,” Juma said.
The actor says despite his constant push to be cast in other roles, no one seems convinced enough to give him a try.
But why not say no to more criminal roles?
“I cannot refuse these roles because I need the work, but it is frustrating that after 10 years, people still see me only as a robber or a gangster.” He vents.
Recently, Juma hit the showbiz headlines when he made a public appeal for financial help from well-wishers.
The father of two revealed that he is struggling to provide for his two daughters and wife, urging Kenyans to offer whatever support they can.
Dedan, who captivated audiences with his gritty portrayal of life in Nairobi in Nairobi Half Life, had many social media users expressing their disbelief that an actor of his caliber could be facing such struggles.