Serial Nollywood producer and actress Funke Akindele has discussed the influence that superstar artist D’banj has on her professional life.
The highest-grossing director in Nigeria revealed that D’banj gave her financial help to launch her ‘Jenifa’ film franchise, which catapulted her to stardom.
She gave a speech on Saturday night at D’banj’s 20th anniversary celebration in the music industry in Lagos.
“After the big break with ‘Jenifa,’ I was out there, and people were celebrating me,” Akindele stated. I was then invited to a club by its owner. “I want to host you,” he said. You work so hard. “Jenifa” is my favourite. Bring the members of your cast and crew. I saw D’banj for the first time when we went. I felt like a movie star. He responded, “I am here to celebrate you,” nevertheless. After our dance, he offered me his phone number.
“You know why you let ‘Jenifa’ go the way she did?’ he asked as he led me to a secluded area. You can eat from that brand for the remainder of your life. “What’s this guy saying?” I thought to myself. It was me who was making Yoruba films. “No,” he replied, “Jenifa” needs to return. Please contact me, and I will assist you in any way I can. He responded to my message by saying, “When you have a brand, you feed on the brand.” You profit handsomely from the brand by properly milking it.
“Go and write another ‘Jenifa’, I support you with this money,” he added, handing me some cash. I thought, ‘Really? No obligations? “No,” he replied. He filmed “The Return of Jenifa” in this manner. And the brand is still relevant today. We are bringing “Everybody Loves Jenifa” to Christmas 2024.