By Oyinkansayo Wole-Bodunde.
Funke Akindele, a Nollywood actor and filmmaker, has responded to Kunle Afolayan’s comments on filmmaking strategies and cinema profits.
Kunle Afolayan, who is also an actor and filmmaker, had criticised current movie marketing approaches, saying that he wants to make films without “dancing to sell” them.
At the launch of his movie ‘Anikulapo,’ he said, “There is no competition between us. I don’t just want N1 billion or N2 billion in the cinema that I won’t be able to personally receive N10 million from.”
He also spoke at the Lagos Business of Film Summit, saying, “I want to make a film if you can guarantee I don’t have to dance to sell. We need to come up with other strategies. How do we sell without exhausting ourselves? I don’t know how the likes of Funke Akindele and others are doing it. Creating skits every day, changing costumes all the time. I can’t do it.”
Funke Akindele responded on Instagram, attributing Kunle’s comments to jealousy. She said, “I’m not the one hindering your progress. Ka rin ka po, yiye ni n ye ni. If you can’t beat them or join them, create your own path. No allow jealousy burn you. The sky is so big for everybody to fly. Eyin Werey jojo. You can do it! The opportunities are endless, and everyone has their own path. I’m focused on mine, and I have faith in God’s plan for me. Go ahead and create alternative promotion or marketing strategies for promoting your business, or hire a company to handle it.”
