Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele, has revealed her early challenges in acting and her self-taught path into movie production, describing her difficulty in navigating Nollywood during its early years.
During an interview with Arise News, Funke Akindele, renowned for her roles in English and Yoruba films, shared that her career path was not without obstacles. She highlighted a pivotal moment when her career took a turn, mentioning her collaboration with actress Ayo Adesanya.
“When I didn’t get roles in English I got frustrated. So I was on a project with Ayo Adesanya, and I told her that I don’t have roles and she said, ‘I’ll talk to a producer, and I will have you on board for Yoruba movies.’ And she spoke to the producer and I was invited to come and act in Oshogbo then.”
Despite setbacks, she persevered and did not give up. She stressed the importance of maintaining a boundary between her public and personal life, placing her family and career above seeking fame.
Initially facing challenges in securing significant roles in the Yoruba film industry, she took matters into her own hands by launching her first production. Always proactive, she kept moving forward and seeking opportunities.
Her breakthrough came with the movie “Jenifa”. During this time, she also connected with influential figures in the industry like Fathia Balogun and Iyabo Ojo.
Funke Akindele shared her experience of launching her own production after not being given major roles in the industry. She described how she learned the intricacies of film production by observing and asking questions on set, despite not having formal education in the field.
Funke Akindele is a self-taught woman, having gained knowledge by closely watching the production process and applying what she learned to create her first movie. She emphasized the importance of separating her private life from her public persona, stating that she values her personal space and prefers to spend time with her family and work at her studio, the Funke Academy Network Studio.
She explained that she avoids parties and only attends important events, focusing instead on her busy schedule and her children. Funke Akindele also highlighted that she controls what she shares on social media and remains grounded despite her fame and the accolades she receives.
