Funke Akindele’s Box Office Magic Didn’t Start at the Box Office By Kolapo Mustapha
Funke Akindele’s Box Office Magic Didn’t Start at the Box Office By Kolapo Mustapha
In a recent discussion with a fellow film critic, I found myself reflecting on how often we rush to celebrate the “fruit” of success, glory, numbers, and accolades while neglecting the “root” that truly nourishes and defines it. This realization came during a conversation about Funke Akindele, whose latest film “Everybody Loves Jenifa” has once again smashed Nigerian box office records.
While my colleague focused on the product, her current success, I tried to steer the conversation towards the “Encapsulation of her journey.” I wanted us to see the complete picture, tracing the creative and professional evolution that led her here.
When discussing Funke Akindele’s phenomenal success at the box office, it’s tempting to focus solely on the visible fruits, the record-breaking numbers and sold-out screenings. But to truly understand her trajectory, we must look deeper into the roots that have nourished this success.
Funke Akindele’s journey didn’t suddenly begin with a viral series or blockbuster numbers. It can be traced to pivotal moments like her first English-speaking lead role in “Married But Living Single” (2012), directed by Tunde Olaoye and co-starring Joseph Benjamin and Joke Silva. It was a film that stretched her creatively and exposed her to a new audience, pushing the boundaries of how she was perceived, not just as a comedic powerhouse, but as a dynamic actor capable of anchoring emotional narratives.
Her journey into English-speaking Nollywood took a defining turn with Tunde Olaoye’s “Married But Living Single.” This project didn’t just expand her range; it elevated her storytelling ability. It’s no surprise that years later, she brought Tunde Olaoye on board for “Everybody Loves Jenifa”, her highest-grossing film to date. The seeds planted in that early collaboration have clearly continued to bear fruit.
Bringing back Tunde Olaoye to direct her biggest film yet, is not just a professional decision, it’s an homage, a recognition of her roots. It’s about trust, shared language, and the deepening of creative synergy. That kind of decision isn’t made lightly. It’s made by someone who remembers the road that brought her here.
Yet, there’s another pivotal chapter that deserves equal recognition: her collaboration with Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife TV on “Your Excellency.” This project, which Funke directed, was more than just a political comedy, it was an immersion into EbonyLife’s world of cinematic polish, commercial sensibility, and world-class production values. EbonyLife’s established track record for blending entertainment with mass appeal likely provided Funke with not just creative freedom but also a practical blueprint for box office success.
It’s fair to argue that “Your Excellency” became a bridge between her earlier works and her later dominance at the box office. The experience of leading such a high-profile project, supported by EbonyLife’s expertise and human resources, could have been the final confidence boost she needed to take bolder risks in the cinema market. And she did. Since “Your Excellency”, every film she has released has smashed records, each time raising the ceiling of what Nigerian cinema can achieve.
When I spoke with a colleague about this, I referred to it as the “Encapsulation of Funke’s journey.” Unfortunately, before I could land my point, the conversation shifted to focusing solely on her products. But in truth, her products are inseparable from her process. Her authenticity, evolution, and willingness to embrace growth are what power her results.
When we talk about success, we often isolate the outcome from the origin. But Funke’s rise is a product of authenticity, resilience, and self-awareness. She didn’t become box office royalty by chasing trends. She became it by staying rooted in her truth, growing through every challenge, and trusting in her unique voice.
This is why I wanted to explore her journey holistically. The ‘root’ is not always glamorous, but it holds the weight of the tree. Without it, there would be no fruit to speak of. And as much as my colleague’s perspective focused on the visible impact, what we see now, I believe it’s equally important to understand the invisible forces that made it possible.
At the end of the day, we’re both admiring the same diamond just from different angles. One angle captures the sparkle; the other studies the cut. Both are valid. But if we want to truly celebrate an icon like Funke Akindele, we must look beyond the shine and understand the shaping.
I simply believe that the root is just as worthy of discussion as the fruit, because without one, the other doesn’t exist. Funke Akindele’s story isn’t just about box office glory; it’s about the years of preparation, collaboration, and self-belief that made it inevitable.
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