Renowned filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has disclosed that he recently had an intense phone conversation with actress and movie producer Funke Akindele.
The exchange followed public reactions to Afolayan’s comments on film marketing approaches within Nollywood, which some interpreted as a subtle criticism of colleagues who rely on dance-based promotional campaigns.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Sunday, the 1st of February, 2026, Afolayan revealed that Akindele reached out to him directly after the remarks gained attention. He recounted that the call was emotionally charged and unexpected.
“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,” Afolayan said.
READ ALSO: Kunle Afolayan Sets January 30 Release for Anikulapo Season 2
Despite the incident, the filmmaker maintained that there is no animosity between them, stressing that their relationship spans many years and is rooted in mutual respect.
“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.