Kunle Afolayan and Funke Akindele fee dispute revealed as filmmaker recalls casting offer, payment demand and strained relationship after rejection

Nigerian filmmaker Kunle Afolayan has disclosed that actress Funke Akindele allegedly demanded ₦3.5 million per role during early casting discussions for his hit movie Anikulapo, a request he said he declined before proceeding with another lead actress.

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Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, Kunle Afolayan explained that he initially approached Funke Akindele when searching for a vibrant performer to portray the character, Queen Arolake.

According to him, the fee quoted by the actress was beyond the production’s budget at the time, prompting him to consider alternative casting options.

Kunle Afolayan and Funke Akindele fee dispute reportedly marked a turning point in their professional relationship. Afolayan stated that following his decision to move forward with another actress, communication between both parties became strained, despite frequent encounters at industry events where they interacted minimally.

He further alleged that after production of Anikulapo commenced and gained attention, Funke Akindele ceased direct communication with him.

According to Afolayan, their paths continued to cross within the Nollywood industry, but cordial exchanges were limited.

In a more recent development recounted by the filmmaker, he said he reached out to Funke Akindele to congratulate her on her subsequent movie successes.

However, he claimed that she responded by instructing him not to contact her again or mention her name in any context.

The revelation adds a layer of intrigue to long-standing perceptions of professional relationships within Nigeria’s film industry, where collaborations and negotiations often shape casting decisions.

While Afolayan described the experience as a difficult moment, he emphasised that production ultimately proceeded successfully with another actress in the lead role.

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Anikulapo, which went on to achieve widespread acclaim, has been recognised as one of Afolayan’s notable works, contributing to his reputation as a leading figure in contemporary Nigerian cinema.

Neither Funke Akindele nor her representatives have publicly responded to the claims at the time of this report.