Kunle Afolayan takes a dig at Nigeria’s Oscar Committee over rejection of ‘Anikulapo’

It is no longer news that Anikulapo, the new flick by Kunle Afolayan is enjoying rave reviews and positive commentaries among Nigerians on social media.

The film which was released to cinemas and on Netflix on September 30 has also become one of the top 10 most watched films on the streaming platform within 48 hours after its release in Nigeria and many other countries.

Despite these positive reviews, the filmmaker and Director, Kunle Afolayan, has called out the Nigeria Oscar Nomination Committee for not considering the film for nomination for the global award.

The controversy over Anikulapo’s Oscar nomination has torn the Oscar Committee members apart with some members already sending in their resignation letters.

Film journalist and critic, Dr. Shaibu Husseini, and filmmaker, Mildred Okwo, announced their resignation from the Nigerian Oscar Committee publicly on Monday via their social media handles.

Afolayan’s “Anikulapo” tells the story of Saro, a zealous traveller seeking for greener pasture in the kingdom of Oyo but unfolding events and his affair with the Alaafin’s wife led to his untimely death.

His encounter with a mystical bird, which gave him power grants him a new life beyond his dreams.

Anikulapo for many who have watched it is another regular Nollywood story around love and betrayal. Many of the cinema goers have commended Afolayan for his story telling technique and the quality of cinematography which set the film apart from typical Nollywood production.

The award-winning movie producer has expressed his joy over the positive feedback he has received from his latest work even as he thanked fans all over the world for tagging his movie a ‘masterpiece’.

Afolayan is however very disappointed the Nigeria’s Oscar selection committee didn’t consider the film good enough for submission to Oscar.

Regardless of his personal frustration and disappointment, Afolayan promised to keep giving his best shot to every of his projects.

He wrote: “I am so pleased and delighted that the whole world has decided to tag ANIKULAPO film a masterpiece even though the Nigeria Oscar selection committee thinks it’s not worth submitting for the Oscars. Will keep doing my own thing.”