It is a worrying time for Nollywood, following the ruckus that occurred between renowned producer Kunle Afolayan, and box-office queen, Funke Akindele.

The beginning of the ruckus came to light, following Afolayan’s comments at the Lagos Business of Film Summit on January 30, where he was responding to questions about his hate for the cinema, and if he plans on trying collaborations, and bringing a project to the cinema soon.

Praising himself, Kunle Afolayan described himself as a pacesetter, highlighting how he began the cinema trend. He also stated that he had also previously engaged in dancing to promote cinema movies, referencing a time he danced in London.

“I am one of the people who started all this cinema gig.

I started dancing before anybody. You can ask. I danced in London. Even London, so, it's not just local.”

The renowned producer also described the incessant movie promotion that has become the norm in the industry as "draining.”

“In 2006, we did all the runs; it was draining."

Speaking about returning to the cinema, he said that that as long as “dancing" to promote the movie would not be part of the cards, he is open to other strategies that would work with”exhausting ourselves."

"I want to make a film. If you guarantee me that I don't have to dance to sell that film.

We need to come up with other strategies.
How do we sell without exhausting ourselves?
Afolayan also commented on the strategy used by Funke Akindele and others in the industry, wondering how they create a lot of engagement videos for just one movie, stressing that “I cannot."

“I don't know how Funke and the likes of them are doing it, but creating all of those skits, everyday—changing different costumes: I cannot," he emphasized.”

In another viral video, the filmmaker behind the ‘Anikulapo’ series, explained that his continued collaboration with Netflix is a strategy not to make large numbers in the cinema, yet unable to take up to 10 Million.

“I don’t want two billion in the cinema and even one billion, which I won’t even be able to take 10 million out ourselves.”

Following the claims by the award-winning filmmaker, Funke Akindele took to her Instagram story to express her disdain at his condescending comments.

She made it clear that she is not blocking the path to anyone's progress, stating that if it's impossible to “beat them or join them," creation of one's path should come to the card.

She further warned against jealousy and its effects, stressing that the movie industry is big enough for everyone to succeed. Akindele also took a swipe at Afolayan, urging him to create an alternative promotion strategy or hire a company to handle it, instead of focusing on her.

She wrote:
"I’m not the one hindering your progress. Ka rin ka po, yiye ni n ye ni."

"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!!
Go ahead and create an alternative promotion or marketing strategy 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.”