“I Abandoned Myself For Work” – Funke Akindele Opens Up On Sacrifices Behind ₦2.7 Billion Movie Success

Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has revealed the personal sacrifices she made while producing her blockbuster film, Behind The Scenes, which grossed ₦2.7 billion at the Nigerian box office.

Speaking in an interview with BellaNaija, Akindele said achieving such success required her to put work ahead of every other aspect of her life. She explained that she stayed away from social activities, neglected her appearance, and devoted nearly all her time and energy to the project.

According to the actress, she rarely had time for herself and only made her hair when attending important events such as movie premieres or red carpet appearances.

She said:

“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.”

Funke added that the demanding schedule came with sleepless nights, skipped meals, and complete dedication to ensuring the film became a success.

She said:

“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.”

The award-winning filmmaker also addressed criticism over her dance videos used to promote her movies, saying many people focus on the dancing without recognizing the hard work, planning, and commitment that go into making her productions successful.

Her latest comments are consistent with earlier remarks she made during Wema Bank’s International Women’s Day programme, where she disclosed that she stepped away from social events for nearly two years to concentrate on building her brand.

Funke has consistently credited her success to discipline, consistency, strategic planning, prayer, and continuous learning. Her achievements continue to earn praise from fans, who see her journey as proof that dedication and hard work can lead to extraordinary success in Nigeria’s film industry.