Veteran Nollywood filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has broken his silence on the controversy involving actress and box office queen Funke Akindele, following widespread backlash over comments he made about movie promotion.
The drama began after a viral interview clip surfaced in which Afolayan spoke about the pressures of film marketing, describing activities such as excessive dancing to promote movies as exhausting. During the conversation, he mentioned Funke Akindele alongside other filmmakers — a move that quickly triggered online reactions.
Funke Akindele did not take the remarks lightly and took to her Instagram story in a series of posts to vent her displeasure, calling out what she perceived as subtle criticism.
Kunle Afolayan Addresses Funke Akindele’s Reaction
Speaking on ARISE News, Afolayan clarified that his comments were misinterpreted and were never meant as a personal attack on Funke Akindele or her promotional style.
According to him, the situation escalated when Funke allegedly called him directly to confront him.
“Funke Akindele called me yesterday and yelled at me. She said, ‘Mr Afolayan, I know you don’t like me, but stop mentioning my name in your interviews.’ Then she cut the call on me,” Afolayan revealed.
“I Was Citing Her as a Success Story” — Afolayan
The filmmaker explained that his remarks were made during a film business forum attended by cinema operators, where discussions centered on profitability and sustainability in the movie industry.
He noted that he had expressed reservations about returning his films to cinemas unless the industry’s financial structure improves, stressing that Funke Akindele’s name came up only as an example of success, not criticism.
“I have nothing against Funke. Just last week at a film festival in Kaduna, I told young people to adopt her as a model. I never said she should not dance or promote her films,” he added.
Afolayan said he was taken aback by Funke’s reaction, maintaining that he has always encouraged filmmakers to adopt whatever promotional strategies work best for them.
The exchange has since fueled conversations online about creative freedom, marketing pressure, and communication within Nollywood.
Watch the video below… 🎥
I Have Nothing Against Funke Akindele, I Told Upcoming Filmmakers To Copy Her Model – Afolayan
I’m a product of travelling theatre or travelling cinema. But for film, even in the recent past, I would drag my kids to the cinema and beckon people to come watch our film. I think… pic.twitter.com/oh66MfnJ6B
— ARISE NEWS (@ARISEtv) February 1, 2026
