Nollywood actor Monsuru Ayanfe has shared a personal story about his time working with superstar actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele, recalling an incident that revealed an unexpected side of her personality.
In a recent interview with Jeff Owolewa, Monsuru narrated how he once damaged Funke’s brand-new car while trying to park it after a movie shoot. According to him, the actress initially lost her temper but later surprised him by apologizing for her reaction. He explained:
“I was the one who damaged Funke Akindele’s new car while trying to park it after a movie set. Funke is someone who can get angry quickly, but when she calms down, she apologises. Even if she reacts sharply, she retraces her steps afterwards.”
The actor said the moment stayed with him, as it showed him that even though Funke is known for her strictness and high standards on set, she also has the humility to acknowledge when she overreacts.
Reflecting on his early struggles in the industry, Monsuru revealed that at the start of his career, he earned as little as ₦5,000 while working with actor Femi Adebayo, who himself was paid ₦20,000 at the time. Despite the small pay, he said his passion for acting kept him motivated. He said:
“When I started out, Femi Adebayo was giving me ₦5,000 because of the love I had for acting. I didn’t mind then, because I just wanted to act.”
Funke Akindele’s impact in Nollywood has often been highlighted by her colleagues. Just months ago, veteran actress Tola Oladokun praised Funke for giving her opportunities that helped boost her career. She revealed how she once missed her first chance to work with Funke but was later invited back, which led to more collaborations.
Similarly, in April, actor Ijoba Lande shared that Funke had invited him to participate in a month-long shoot at Amen Estate. While he initially claimed he received ₦90,000 for the project, he later clarified that his earlier statement was misinterpreted and that Funke had, in fact, paid him more before he left the set.
