A Thoughtful Conversation on Craft, Cinema, and Perspective.
At Omolola Talkstv, we believe conversations around culture, creativity, and success should be handled with clarity, balance, and respect. Recent discussions within the Nigerian film space have once again highlighted how easily numbers, emotions, and public perception can collide.
First, it is important to acknowledge that Funke Akindele is undeniably one of the most hardworking and successful filmmakers in Nigeria. Over the years, she has consistently delivered commercially successful films, built strong audience loyalty, and contributed significantly to the growth and visibility of Nigerian cinema. Her discipline, consistency, and work ethic are not in question and deserve recognition.
On the other hand, Kunle Afolayan is also a respected figure in the industry. His body of work over the years reflects depth, structure, and a commitment to storytelling that has pushed Nigerian cinema beyond entertainment into global conversations. Through films, series, and international collaborations, he has helped shape how Nigerian stories are told and perceived, both locally and internationally.
The recent conversation that sparked public reactions did not come from a place of envy or discredit. Mr Kunle, during an interview on Arise TV, spoke about the realities of cinema economics. His point was not to diminish success, but to explain that box office figures do not automatically translate to the same amount as personal profit. After cinema percentages, distribution costs, taxes, and operational expenses, the actual take-home is often far less than headline figures suggest. This is a global industry reality, not a personal attack.
From available accounts, Funke reportedly reached out to Mr Kunle directly, expressing her displeasure strongly, even raising her voice during the conversation. According to him, this reaction came as a surprise, as he did not understand why an explanatory discussion about industry structure led to anger. It is important to note that emotional responses are human, especially when hard work and public perception are involved, but they can sometimes overshadow the original intent of a conversation.
This moment offers an important lesson, especially for fans and observers. Celebrating our favourites should not require dismissing thoughtful industry discussions. Not every conversation is an attack, and not every explanation is jealousy. Cinema is both art and business, and understanding its structure helps everyone grow.
At Omolola Talkstv, our position is simple. Both filmmakers are excellent at their craft. Both have contributed meaningfully to Nigerian cinema. Honest conversations about the industry should be encouraged, not turned into emotional battlegrounds by public sentiment.
On a related note, Aníkúlápọ̀ is currently showing on Netflix. As a platform, we continue to support and celebrate films that promote Yoruba culture, history, and authentic storytelling.
A New Month Reflection
Happy New Month 🤍
From all of us at Omolola Talkstv, welcome to February.
February Quote from Omolola Talkstv:
“To love who we are is to protect our culture, honour our elders, and preserve our history.”
Ẹ káàbọ̀ sí oṣù Ẹ̀rẹ̀lé
(Welcome to the month of February)
Follow us closely this month. We still have some January content to share that we were unable to release earlier due to other commitments, and we will be rolling them out gradually.
Together, we can protect, preserve, and celebrate our culture.
✍️
Omo'ba Omoluabi
Omólola Adepeju
