- Funke Akindele has shared a scathing post on Instagram after Kunle Afolayan criticized filmmakers for dancing to promote movies and their obsession with box office numbers.
- Afolayan called such promotions exhausting and questioned the value of large theater numbers, while Funk encouraged creatives to focus on their own paths and marketing strategies, sparking new industry debate.
Nollywood actress and film producer, Funke Akindele has sparked online reactions after penning a scathing post that was widely interpreted as a response to veteran film producer Kunle Afolayan’s recent remarks on the promotion and box office success of the film.
In a recent interview, Afolayan criticized what he said is an increasingly exhausting culture of filmmakers dancing and participating in viral trends to promote movie releases. While acknowledging Funke Akindele’s extraordinary success at the box office, he expressed dissatisfaction with the pressure on filmmakers to constantly perform online to sell their films.
“It’s exhausting. If you promise me I don’t have to dance to sell that movie, I want to make a movie,” Afolayan said.
He also questioned the industry’s growing obsession with box office numbers, arguing that high movie revenues mean little if the filmmakers don’t ultimately reap the financial benefits.
“There’s no competition. I don’t want to be in theaters if I can’t make ten million from it, not even two billion, or even a billion.” he added.
Shortly after the interview gained attention, Funke Akindele shared some cryptic yet intense messages on her Instagram Stories that many believed were directed at the comments. Without mentioning names, the actress encouraged creatives to focus on their own path and explore alternative marketing strategies instead of criticizing others.
“Continue to develop alternative promotional or marketing strategies to promote your business or hire a company to handle it. You can do it! The opportunities are endless and everyone has their own path. I am focused on mine and I trust God’s plan for me,” she wrote.
In another post, she added, “If you can’t beat them or join them, then create your own path. Don’t let jealousy burn you. The sky is so big, everyone can fly. Eyin weery jojo!!!”
