Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has responded sharply to a comment by fellow filmmaker Kunle Afolayan that many perceived as a subtle dig at the dominance of certain movies in Nigerian cinemas. Akindele, known for her box-office successes, made it clear that she is not responsible for anyone’s lack of progress in the industry.
The exchange began after Afolayan spoke publicly about the challenges faced by filmmakers whose movies struggle to secure cinema slots, suggesting that the system favours commercially driven films over more artistic productions. Although he did not mention names, many social media users interpreted the remarks as a veiled reference to Akindele, whose films often enjoy wide cinema distribution and strong ticket sales.
Reacting to the comments, Akindele pushed back, stressing that she does not control cinema programming or determine which films succeed or fail. She stated that hard work, audience connection, marketing, and consistency play major roles in box-office success, adding that blaming others for setbacks is unproductive. According to her, every filmmaker has the opportunity to thrive if they understand their audience and put in the required effort.
The exchange has since sparked intense debate online, with fans and industry observers divided. While some sided with Afolayan, arguing that the cinema system needs reform to accommodate diverse storytelling, others defended Akindele, praising her business acumen and ability to consistently deliver films that attract large audiences.
The back-and-forth has once again highlighted the ongoing conversation within Nollywood about creativity versus commercial success, access to cinema screens, and how filmmakers can coexist in an industry that continues to grow and evolve.
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