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One of Nigeria’s finest directors, Tunde Olaoye, has opened up about the creative genius of Funke Akindele, describing her as “not ordinary” while reflecting on their collaboration on the new film Behind the Scenes.
Olaoye, who co-directed the movie alongside Akindele, explained that the project represents far more than a single film.
According to him, Behind the Scenes is the result of a creative partnership years in the making, dating back to their early work on Jenifa’s Diary. Over time, he has watched Akindele evolve from a television star into one of Nollywood’s most influential storytellers—a journey he believes was always destined.
“From the beginning, it was obvious she was meant for the top,” Olaoye said. “She’s not ordinary. There’s always something extra about anything she wants to do.”
As a director and co-producer on Behind the Scenes, Olaoye played a key role in translating Akindele’s vision into a fully realised cinematic experience.
The film, produced by Funke Akindele herself, follows Deronke “Ronky-Fella” Faniran, a successful real-estate mogul and mother of two whose generosity makes her widely loved.
However, as expectations around her kindness grow, Ronky-Fella continues to give until she becomes emotionally drained, forcing her to confront the hidden cost of self-sacrifice.
The movie stars Funke Akindele in the lead role and features a large ensemble cast, including Tobi Bakre, Uzor Arukwe, Ibrahim Chatta, Dele Odule, Iyabo Ojo, Fausat Balogun, Scarlet Gomez, Destiny Etiko, Ini Dima-Okojie, Uche Montana, Hafiz Oyetoro, Veeiye, Kamo State, Handi and Wanni Danbaki, and Ejiro Onojaife.
Olaoye believes Akindele’s greatest strength as a filmmaker lies in her clarity of vision. He described her as a rare producer-director-actor-writer who arrives on set with every detail already mapped out.
According to him, his role as co-director was often to help execute ideas that were already clearly defined in her mind.
“Everything is already in her head,” he explained. “She just needs your help to realise it.”
This clarity, Olaoye noted, makes collaboration seamless. Even when Akindele was not physically present on set, the direction remained intact. He likened her approach to having a mental storyboard that guides every scene long before filming begins.
Beyond the discipline and structure, Olaoye also shared lighter moments from behind the camera. One running joke involved a superstition tied to Akindele’s wardrobe.
According to him, whenever she arrived on set at night wearing her sultana outfit, it often rained, sometimes disrupting filming. The coincidence became such a joke that crew members teased her about avoiding the outfit to prevent delays.
Despite the humour, Olaoye stressed that Behind the Scenes marks a tonal shift from Akindele’s previous projects. While audiences know her for strong comedic roles, he described the film as an emotional journey that digs deeper into human vulnerability.
“It’s an emotional rollercoaster,” he said. “You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll see yourself, and you’ll see someone you know. It’s like you’ve been groping in the dark and suddenly a bulb has been turned on.”
For Olaoye, the title Behind the Scenes is intentional, inviting viewers to look beyond surface-level success and confront the emotional labour, generosity, and quiet burnout that often go unnoticed.
“This is not just another Funke Akindele film,” he concluded. “Take that one to the bank.”
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