Veteran Nollywood actor Jide Kosoko has revealed that he sometimes feels apprehensive whenever actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele offers him an acting role, citing her demanding approach to filmmaking and insistence on perfection.
Kosoko made the disclosure during an interview on the African A-List podcast, where he described Akindele as a highly committed filmmaker who can require actors to repeat a scene several times before she is satisfied with the result.
“Whenever Funke calls me for a job, I am always scared; you can shoot a scene 15 times,” Kosoko said.
The actor’s comments offer a glimpse into the demands of working with one of Nollywood’s prominent filmmakers, whose attention to detail can extend to seemingly minor elements of a production.
Why Akindele’s Production Style Challenges Actors
Kosoko explained that Akindele’s approach sometimes involves revisiting scenes that actors and crew members believe have already been completed.
According to him, the filmmaker may arrive on set intending to shoot a different sequence but decide that an earlier scene needs to be filmed again because a particular detail does not meet her expectations.
He cited the choice of plates used in a scene as an example of a detail that could prompt a reshoot.
“She may come the following day thinking of shooting another scene, but then she will say, ‘We have to shoot those scenes again because of the plates they brought,’” he recounted.
Such an approach can increase the time and concentration required during production, as actors must maintain consistency in their performances and remain prepared to repeat scenes.
Veteran Actor Praises Her Work Ethic
Despite describing the experience as demanding, Kosoko praised Akindele’s dedication and energy, suggesting that her work ethic is a major feature of her filmmaking process.
“Funke is very hardworking; even if you are a man, you can’t match her energy,” he said.
Kosoko has appeared in Akindele’s Jenifa productions and has therefore experienced her working methods firsthand.
Akindele has built a prominent career as an actress, filmmaker and producer, with her projects attracting substantial attention from Nigerian audiences.
Kosoko’s account highlights the discipline and repeated refinement that can take place behind the scenes of film production. While demanding methods may test actors’ patience, his remarks indicate that Akindele places considerable importance on achieving the precise result she wants on screen.