Nigerian filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has spoken publicly about a reported fallout with actress Funke Akindele, tracing the disagreement to a casting decision in his acclaimed film Aníkúlápó.
In an interview on Arise TV, Afolayan disclosed that he had initially approached Akindele to play the role of Queen Arolake in the project. However, negotiations reportedly collapsed after the actress quoted a fee he considered too high.
According to Afolayan, Akindele requested a payment of ₦3.5 million per scene for the role, a demand he said was beyond the film’s budget.
“I wanted her for the role of Arolake, but the fee didn’t work for me,” he explained, noting that he subsequently opted to cast another actress.
The filmmaker further revealed that communication between both industry figures deteriorated following the disagreement.
Although they occasionally encountered each other at public and professional events, he said their relationship remained strained.
Afolayan added that a recent attempt to reconnect ended on a tense note.
He claimed that after reaching out to congratulate Akindele on a recent achievement, she allegedly asked him not to speak to her or mention her name again.
The revelation has sparked conversation within Nollywood circles, highlighting ongoing concerns about remuneration standards, star power, and professional relationships in Nigeria’s film industry.
Neither Akindele nor her representatives have publicly responded to the claims as of press time.
‘Aníkúlápó,’ released in 2022, was widely praised for its storytelling and production quality, further cementing Afolayan’s reputation as a leading voice in contemporary Nigerian cinema.
