Award-winning Nigerian filmmaker Funke Akindele has openly praised veteran actress Bimbo Akintola, admitting that her performances constantly challenge her to improve her craft.
Speaking during her Creative Blueprint 2.0 masterclass in Lagos, Akindele reflected on her journey in the film industry and highlighted Akintola as a major source of professional inspiration.
In a now-viral moment from the event, she described Akintola’s acting depth as unmatched, revealing how it pushes her to reassess her own work.
“There’s only one actor that I always shake for. If she acts, I rethink my career… Bimbo Akintola. She’s deep,” she said.
Akindele went further to explain that she has closely studied Akintola’s technique over the years, paying attention to her expressions, voice control, and emotional delivery.
“I studied her , her expressions, her modulation, her depth and I told myself, ‘Funke, keep learning.’”
Bimbo Akintola, who has been active in Nollywood since the mid-1990s, is widely respected for her roles in films such as Owo Blow, Out of Bounds, Diamond Ring, 93 Days, and The Black Book.
In an earlier interview, Akintola explained her approach to acting, emphasizing deep character understanding as the foundation of her performances.
“For me, getting into the character is understanding the character and knowing who the character is… everything I need to know is in the script,” she said.
“Once I learn who the character is, then I can become that character because it’s easier to be and that is my process.”
The exchange highlights the mutual respect within Nollywood, as established actors continue to inspire one another while raising the standard of performance in the industry.
