Nigerian actress and movie producer, Funke Akindele Bello has warned the public against pirating her upcoming movie, ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa.”
The Queen of Box Office issued the warning through a post on her official Instagram page on Wednesday.
The actress begged her fans not to record the movie which will hit Nigerian cinemas on December 13 while watching it.
The 47-year-old movie producer who acted as Jenifa in the movie which is a spin-off of her 2008 film ‘Jenifa’ emphasised that piracy is a serious offense that affects the livelihoods of filmmakers and actors.
She noted that stringent security measures will be put in place to ensure compliance from cinemagoers and pirates will be arrested.
The actress urged fans to support her by taking pictures at the standees, posting the trailers and teasers, and encouraging others to watch the movie in cinemas.
She said, “Do not be scared. I am fine. But if you go to see my new movie — ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’ and bring out your phone or any device you have to film it then I will not be fine.”
“I know you have got mad love for me as my fan. I know you respect me so much. I know you respect me so much. I know you want to support me. I know you want to promote me. But you filming it is not you supporting me.”
“Do not upload on your social media accounts. Do not bring out your phone. If you want to support me, get to the cinemas, take pictures at the standies, post my trailers, the teasers of the movies, and I would be fine.”
“Because the act of you filming is called piracy. We will not encourage piracy. We will take all necessary security measures to arrest anyone caught doing it. I love my fans very much.”
“It is affecting us. We need to grow more than this. We spent a lot of money on that project ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’.”