What began as a casual industry conversation has now peeled back the curtain on a rare moment of tension between two of Nollywood’s most influential figures. Award-winning filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has disclosed details of an unexpected and heated phone call from actress and producer Funke Akindele, following remarks he made about film promotion strategies in the Nigerian movie industry.
The revelation has sparked widespread discussion, not just because of the personalities involved, but because it touches on a sensitive and evolving debate within Nollywood: how films should be marketed in the age of social media virality.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Sunday, Afolayan recounted the incident, which he said occurred after his comments were interpreted as a subtle dismissal of colleagues who rely on dance-driven campaigns to promote their films. While he did not mention Akindele by name in his original remarks, the filmmaker said the actress felt personally affected.
According to Afolayan, Akindele reached out to him directly in a phone call that quickly turned tense.
“She called, and she said, ‘I know you don’t like me, but don’t mention my name in your interviews,’ she was yelling, and she dropped the phone after that,” he said.
The filmmaker described the exchange as confusing and unexpected, stressing that there was no animosity on his part. He maintained that his relationship with Akindele spans many years and is rooted in mutual respect and long-standing familiarity.
“It was weird, and I’m like, where is this coming from. She’s like a sister to me. In Unilag, I would go to her hostel, her sister is also my friend, so I am not sure where this is coming from,” Afolayan added.
Despite the intensity of the call, Afolayan was quick to downplay any suggestion of a lasting rift. He insisted there is no bad blood between them and emphasized that their professional relationship remains intact.
The disclosure has since ignited conversations across the industry and among fans, highlighting how deeply personal creative opinions and public commentary can become in an industry as closely watched as Nollywood. While neither party has indicated that the disagreement has escalated beyond the phone call, the moment serves as a reminder of the fine line public figures walk when discussing evolving trends within their own creative community.