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Funke Akindele yelled at me and ordered me not to mention her name in interviews again — Kunle Afolayan

Renowned filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has opened up about a tense phone conversation from actress and producer Funke Akindele during an interview on Arise News, following reports suggesting he had criticized filmmakers who rely heavily on dance-led and aggressive promotional campaigns.

Afolayan described the call as unexpected and emotionally charged. “She called and said, ‘I know you don’t like me, but don’t mention my name in your interviews.’ She was angry, yelling, and then she dropped the phone,” he recounted. He added that the situation felt strange, given their long-standing personal relationship. “Funke is like a sister to me. We grew up together… I honestly didn’t understand where it was coming from,” he said.

The filmmaker stressed that his remarks had been misrepresented. He explained that he never criticized Akindele or any filmmaker for their promotional style, saying, “I only said it’s not something I personally want to do. It’s exhausting for me.” The comments were made during a film business forum discussing cinema sustainability, profits, and whether cinema releases still make economic sense.

Afolayan expressed disappointment over the online backlash that followed. “If she felt offended in any way, I’m sorry,” he said, while condemning coordinated attacks that escalated the controversy. Despite the disagreement, he maintained that his stance was never personal.

He also praised Akindele’s achievements, calling her career growth strategic and intentional. “I actually told young filmmakers that if they want a model that works now, they should study Funke Akindele’s journey from Jenifa to where her brand is today,” he said, reaffirming that he has “nothing against her at all. She’s my sister.”

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