The Return Of Jenifa Becomes Fastest Grossing Nollywood Movie

Friday, October 21, 2011Omoba

Versatile Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele, premiered her latest production, ‘The Return of Jenifa', on September 23, at theShell Hall Muson Centre Onikan, Lagos.

A sequel to the popular hit, ‘Jenifa' (2009), the new film which is been shown at three cinemas- Silverbird Lagos and Abuja and Ozone Cinema in Yaba, Lagos.

Just after a week of its release to the cinemas, “The Return of Jenifa” (TROJ) has out sold all other Nollywood movies at the cinema in the country, a feat which many believe may rank the movie as one of the fastest grossing Nollywood movies.

The actress, who debuted in the advocacy TV series ‘I Need to Know' in the late nineties, produced ‘The Return of Jenifa' and its prequel. Akindele wowed movie fans with her role as Sulia a.k.a Jenifa in the first film, which attracted millions of viewers, making its star a household name. ‘Jenifa' is estimated to have sold over 8 million copies.

The storyline of the movie revolves around the life of the main character, Jenifa. Here she registers to be part of a dancing competition. But when she is asked to undergo an HIV test as part of the requirement for entry into the competition, she fled, being unsure of her status as a result of her past exploits.

She is later forced to withdraw from the society that she once ruled and move back to her village. Going back to the village however does not stop her from being her crazy self and in the end she learns that life is not all about being a ‘gbogbo bigs girl’.

‘The Return of Jenifa' boasts a slew of cameo roles by well-known entertainment figures. It parades actors, musicians, and celebrities, including Antar Laniyan, Eldee the Don, Banky W, Denrele Edun, Iyabo Ojo, Ireti Osayemi, Helen Paul, Omawumi, and Yinka Quadri.

Determined to prove that her initial success was not a fluke, Akindele went on to produce her second movie, ‘Omo Ghetto', a comedy in which she played the lead role, ‘Omo Olomo'. Yoruba film actor, Adebayo Salami, filled in as her father, ‘Baba Onibaba'. Shot in the slums of Lagos, ‘Omo Ghetto' tackles the problem of marginalised youth in Nigerian society and how they can be empowered to become responsible citizens.