By John Ikani
Anikulapo, a Netflix original movie produced and directed by veteran actor, Kunle Afolayan, is currently topping the Netflix weekly global chart as the most viewed non-English Netflix original with over 8,730,000 views.
This comes just few days after the Nigeria Oscars selection committee disqualified Anikulapo from the nomination list of the Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars.
To celebrate the latest milestone of the record-breaking movie, Afolayan took to his official Instagram page to congratulate the movie cast, crew and everyone who has played one role or the other towards the success of the movie.
According to him, the acceptability of the movie was prove that the film resonated with people from diverse cultures all over the world.
“While this is being celebrated by Nigerians home and abroad, the acceptability of it from people around the world with different cultural background and beliefs proves beyond words that Anikulapo tells a universal story that every human across the world can relate to,” wrote Afolayan on Instagram.
“It is also noteworthy to state that the movie in a great way creates an inclusiveness of both male and female character traits, bringing to light the fine thin line between lust and love, hate and resentment, illusion etc,” he added.
Set in the pre-colonial era of the 17th century old Oyo Empire, Anikulapo tells the story of a sojourner who finds his way to Oyo in search of greener pastures, where he at first finds favor, but later finds love in a forbidden place.
The Netflix original debuted to rave reviews on October 1, 2022. Majority of its fans had high praises for the cast performance and the representation of the Yoruba culture.
The movie featured A-list actors like Kunle Remi, who played the main character Saro, alongside Bimbo Ademoye, who played the role of Queen Arolake, Sola Sobowale, Mr. Macaroni, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Taiwo Hassan, Oga Bello among others.
Afolayan has since revealed plans for a spin-off series based on the film.
