Nollywood filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan, has revealed that actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele personally called and cautioned him against mentioning her name during interviews.

Afolayan made the disclosure during an interview with ARISE News on Sunday while responding to reactions that followed his recent comments on the pressures of promoting cinema films.

He explained that while he understands the culture of active promotion, the process has become exhausting for him over time.

Speaking on his interaction with Akindele, the filmmaker said the actress called him angrily and asked that he stop referencing her in his interviews.

“Listen, Funke called me yesterday, and all she was saying, and that is why I felt maybe there was more to it than beyond, I don’t know what, you know, she called, and she said, oh, ‘Mr Afolayan, 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.

READ ALSO:Afolayan Mocks N2bn Revenue Claims, Funke Akindele Fires Back

He added that he later sent her a message to clarify his position.

“And I texted her, and I said, I don’t know what, you know, must have caused this, but it’s fine, and I explained a few things to her, and that was it.”

Afolayan also referenced a conversation with actress Toyin Abraham, who, according to him, understood his point and turned it into a skit.

“Toyin Abraham and I spoke, and Toyin said, ‘Egbon, can you see that I’ve turned it into a skit. I got what you’re saying.’ And in the skit, she was saying, ‘people, please come and watch my film so I can make more than 10 million.’”

Clarifying the context of his earlier remarks, Afolayan said they were made at a film business forum where cinema operators questioned him about returning to cinema releases.

“The honest truth is, it was a forum. It was a film business forum, and we had the cinema operators there. And the cinema operators were asking me, Kunle, when are you coming back to the cinema? And I said, ‘I can’t come to the cinema if you cannot guarantee that I will make substantial money.’”

READ ALSO:Funke Akindele’s ‘Behind The Scene’ Comes First Africa Film To Gross N2 Billion

He further broke down the financial realities of cinema earnings, noting that box office figures do not always translate into significant profit for filmmakers after deductions.

“I’ve been doing this for almost 30 years. Let’s do the math. If we make two billion, after the sharing and the tax deduction and all of that, what will probably come to you will be maybe 500,” Afolayan said.

Despite the controversy, the filmmaker insisted he has no issues with Akindele and described her career as a model for younger creatives.

“I have absolutely nothing against Funke,” he said, adding that he recently advised upcoming filmmakers to emulate her business approach.

“Last week I was in Kaduna at Rama Film Festival, and I was doing a master class, and I was addressing young people, and I clearly said to them that if you want to adopt a model that I think will work for you now, then follow Funke Akindele’s model,” he said.

Afolayan praised Akindele’s growth from her early success with Jenifa to the strength of her current brand, while admitting that the energy required for her style of promotion no longer suits him.

“She has grown, you know, it’s a consistent growth. And what I was saying is, look, I can’t do what they’re doing, because I feel that they have so much energy, and it’s working for them,” he added.

READ ALSO:I’m A Feminist But I Don’t Support Disrespectful Wives – Funke Akindele

The comments come after Akindele, on Saturday, seemingly reacted to comments made by Afolayan on the pressures of promoting cinema movies, sharing a series of pointed messages on her Instagram story.

In one of the posts, she wrote, “I’m not the one hindering your progress. Ka rin ka po, yiye ni n ye ni.”

She also encouraged creatives to focus on their individual journeys rather than comparing themselves to others.

“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!!!”

In another post, Akindele advised filmmakers to explore different approaches to marketing their work instead of complaining about existing trends.

“Go ahead and create alternative promotion or marketing strategies for promoting your business, or hire a company to handle it.

“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.”