Behind the Scenes of a Record-Breaking Film
Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has shared her journey of creating one of the most successful films in Nigerian cinema history. Her latest project, Behind The Scenes, has grossed an impressive N2.7 billion at the box office, marking a significant milestone in her career.
During a recent interview with Bella Naija, Akindele opened up about the personal sacrifices she made to bring the film to life. She revealed that the production demanded total dedication, leaving little time for anything outside of work. According to her, the process required immense effort and commitment, often at the expense of her personal well-being.
Total Dedication and Sacrifice
Akindele admitted that during the production period, she had to give up many aspects of her personal life. She stopped attending social events, neglected her hair unless it was necessary for a red carpet or major event, and even forgot to eat on several occasions. Sleepless nights became a regular occurrence as she poured all her energy into the project.
“I abandoned myself for work; I didn’t even make my hair, except when I am going on the red carpet or somewhere important. I don’t attend parties, I don’t go to greet people at home, I quit everything. I’m neck-deep in work; I sacrifice my time for it,” she said.
She emphasized that achieving such success required giving her all. “It’s now that I am relaxed, feeling fresh, doing the skincare. It was a lot of sacrifice, sleepless nights, forgetting to eat, giving my all,” she added.
A Commercial Success
The commercial performance of Behind The Scenes has been nothing short of remarkable. With N2.7 billion grossed, it stands among the highest-earning Nollywood productions in recent memory, further solidifying Funke Akindele’s position as one of the industry’s leading figures.
Akindele noted that she is now enjoying the rewards of that intense period, finally taking time for rest and personal care. Her story has resonated with fans and followers online, who have praised her dedication and hard work.
Fans React to Her Story
Social media users have shared their thoughts on Akindele’s candid admission. Some of the reactions include:
- @richyz_official: “It’s always good to have the right role model? Yes. It’s important, because, it’s will really motivate you more.”
- @ProsperUfo7253: “I see that and she does it better respect to her”
- @chi_omalicha15: “Behind the scenes movie is a huge success. She over did herself, the movie is super good.”
- @richyz_official: “This what will called? Self determination”
- @pamilhereen: “She’s so smart and intelligent”
Dancing for Promotion
Earlier, Akindele shared why she dances to promote her movies. She explained that the practice began out of necessity during the production of Battle on Buka Street, when she lacked funds for a conventional PR campaign. She created dance content at home and shared it online until audiences connected with it.
Akindele emphasized that dancing is part of her personality, not a calculated act. She credited her mother for passing down the love of dance and stressed that other filmmakers can choose their own unique promotional styles.