Social media has been set agog after Nollywood actress and movie producer, Funke Akindele shared a video of her house which caught fire from the set of her latest movie, Everybody Loves Jenifa.
The clip captured a dramatic scene where her multimillion-naira mansion was seemingly on fire while filming, as cast and crew scrambled to extinguish the flames. Surprisingly, Funke appeared calm and unbothered throughout the chaos.
Reports reveal that Funke Akindele took a significant risk with her property to ensure the movie’s realism. Known for sparing no expense, the actress self-funded the project and empowered 175 crew members, with 95% of them being young talents.
In a strategic move, Funke partnered with the Lagos State Fire Service for the movie’s fire-related scenes. Jubril Giwa, the Senior Special Assistant on New Media to the Lagos State Governor, confirmed this collaboration in a post on his X page, acknowledging the state’s involvement in ensuring safety during the production.
Fans and industry insiders have applauded Funke Akindele’s commitment to her craft and her bold investment in creating memorable cinematic experiences. Everybody Loves Jenifa is already one of the most anticipated Nollywood releases, with audiences eagerly awaiting its premiere.
The movie, Everybody Loves Jenifa has become the first Nollywood film to reach $100,000 in diaspora sales, and the numbers are still counting.
Akindele thanked her talented cast, dedicated fans, colleagues, and the diasporan community for their unwavering support.
She acknowledged that their love and encouragement have been the driving force behind her success, and she couldn’t have achieved this milestone without them.
Funke wrote on Instagram: “We did it, guys. $100,000 in diaspora sales and counting, the first Nollywood film to hit this milestone.
“I’m beyond grateful to my incredible cast, the unstoppable Jenifans, my amazing colleagues, the diasporan community and everyone who’s been part of this journey, you’re the real MVPs.
“Your love and support have been the fuel behind this dream. I couldn’t have done this without you. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.”
By Ezinne Okorie.
